Braves remain on roll

WASHINGTON --- The Atlanta Braves have forced their way into the playoff picture unburdened by the usual late-season nerves and anxieties. They threw all that stuff out long ago, back when they were so far behind they thought they were pretty much out of it.

Playing confident and free with nothing to lose -- and with the breaks falling their way -- the Braves completed a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals with a 6-3 victory in 10 innings Sunday, their sixth win in a row and 14th in 16 games.

"It's got to the point now where we've got so much faith in the team that no one wants to be that last out, or no one wants to be the guy that is responsible for the loss," said reliever Peter Moylan, who worked out of a huge jam in the seventh.

A couple of weak choppers that bounced into no man's land between the pitcher's mound and first base helped spur a three-run rally in the 10th for the Braves, who remained 21/2 games behind Colorado in the race for the NL wild card. Atlanta will finish the season at home with three against the Florida Marlins and four more against the Nationals, who lost for the 103rd time this season Sunday. Omar Infante's two-run single scored Martin Prado and Jones, giving the Braves their 10th consecutive road win, their longest such streak in more than 15 years. Mike Gonzalez (5-4) picked up the win, and Rafael Soriano pitched the 10th for his 27th save.

"We believe we're going to find ways to win, and that's ultimately a huge reason why we are where we are," said starter Derek Lowe, who allowed three runs in six innings.