WASHINGTON (AP) - Javier Vazquez allowed a run and three hits in
his third complete game of the season, leading the Atlanta Braves
to a 4-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday night.
      His performance enabled the Braves, who started play 3½ games
behind Colorado for the NL wild card, to keep their flickering
playoff hopes alive. Atlanta has won four straight and 12 of 14.
      Vazquez (15-9) allowed a leadoff home run to Josh Bard, his
sixth, in the eighth inning. Vazquez also gave a leadoff single to
Willie Harris in the first and a one-out double to Ryan Zimmerman
in the fourth. He retired 11 straight between Zimmerman's double
and Bard's homer.
      Vazquez, who won his fifth straight, struck out seven and walked
one. He is 10-2 since July 7.
     
      (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)