WASHINGTON, July 28 (UPI) -- Tim Hudson continued his career-long mastery of Washington, giving up a lone run in 7 2/3 innings Wednesday, helping Atlanta down the Nationals 3-1.

Hudson (11-5) improved his career record against Washington to 10-1. He has nine straight victories over the Nationals since his lone loss to the franchise in 2006.

He gave up seven hits and struck out seven while Chipper Jones drove in two runs.

Atlanta, which had dropped two straight, maintained its 3 1/2-game lead over the second-place and charging Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. Philadelphia won its seventh straight Wednesday with a 7-1 decision over Arizona.

Jones had a sacrifice fly in the first and Jason Heyward came home as part of a double steal later in the inning. Jones also had an RBI single in the fifth.

Mike Morse drove in Washington's only run with a base hit in the fifth. The Nationals lost their fourth game out of five contests.

Livan Hernandez (7-7) gave up all three runs on six hits in 4 1/3 to take the loss.