Nationals out to extend strong month, keep Braves reeling

Two teams experiencing contrasting months meet when the Atlanta Braves open a three-day, four-game series at the Washington Nationals on Monday.

The Braves (66-83), who will soon see their streak of seven straight postseason appearances end, are limping home and sport a 4-8 September record after snapping a four-game losing streak on Sunday.

The Nationals (62-87), who will extend their streak of missing the playoffs to six, improved to 9-4 this month when they rallied for a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

Atlanta will send right-hander Spencer Strider (5-13, 4.86 ERA) against Washington left-hander Mitchell Parker (8-15, 5.69) on Monday.

After a brutal early August (15.43 ERA in three starts), Strider has bounced back. Over his last three starts, he has given up six earned runs in 18 innings (3.00 ERA). The Braves have lost all six games.

Last time out, Strider gave up two runs on six hits over six innings in a loss to the Chicago Cubs. He struck out eight -- his most since July 18 -- and walked three.

"It was good to see him clear through six innings," manager Brian Snitker said. "He really wanted to go back out for the sixth, too. I'm glad we sent him back out there. It's part of the process. That was good. It was a step in the right direction."

Strider is 4-2 with a 5.03 ERA in seven games (six starts) versus Washington. He lost to them on May 20, allowing four earned runs in 4 1/3 innings.

Parker endured a tough August and saw his ERA climb to 6.01. He has had two quality outings in his past three starts, including last Tuesday against the Miami Marlins, when he earned his first win since July 26.

"It's good to build good momentum," said Parker, who gave up two runs on four hits over 7 2/3 innings. "We're building off of each one and hopefully improving something in all of them. It's a good confidence-booster to build off of."

Parker is 2-0 with a 4.63 ERA in four career starts against the Braves. He has not faced them this season.

On Sunday, Daylen Lile's eighth-inning double drove in the go-ahead run against the Pirates. Lile, Andres Chapparo and Paul DeJong had two hits each for Washington, which has won three of its past four series and split the other.

Lile has reached safely in 14 straight and is batting .415 (22-for-53) over that stretch.

Interim Washington manager Miguel Cairo opted to give closer Jose A. Ferrer the day off, opening the door for Clayton Beeter to earn his first career save.

"I just wanted to give a little break to him," Cairo said of Ferrer. "He's been pitching a lot. And like I say, I want to make sure everyone pitches in different leverage. ... He will be ready (Monday)."

Ozzie Albies drove in three runs with two hits in Atlanta's 8-3 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday. Matt Olson had two hits, including a homer, and Sandy Leon homered in his first start in over two years and notched three RBIs.

Albies has 39 RBIs in 54 games since the All-Star break.

"It feels amazing," he said. "Anything to help the team win is special. I'm just putting good (at-bats) up, and I'm looking forward to more of those."