Braves 8, Nationals 1

ATLANTA (AP) — Rookie Tommy Hanson struck out nine in 6 2-3 innings and the surging Atlanta Braves won again, routing the Nationals 8-1 to snap Washington’s eight-game winning streak.

The Braves have won four straight, six of seven and 16 of 25 since the All-Star break, a stretch that has made them a factor in the NL playoff race. Atlanta started the sweltering night 4½ games behind NL East-leading Philadelphia, which visits Turner Field this weekend.

Hanson (7-2) had his second-most strikeouts since being called up from Triple-A in early June, surpassed only by an 11-strikeout effort against San Francisco on July 20. He allowed seven hits and didn’t walk anyone.

Chipper Jones, back in the Atlanta lineup after missing three straight games with a strained oblique muscle, hit a mammoth homer that reached the second section of seats in right field.

The Nationals’ eight straight wins were the second-longest streak since the franchise moved to Washington four years ago, surpassed only by a 10-game run in June 2005.