The Washington Nationals did almost nothing wrong during the first half of the season. Since the All-Star break, almost nothing has gone right - and it could get a lot worse.

The team that was the Montreal Expos wasn't scoring runs, but it was winning close games and playing very well at home. Wednesday night's 3-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies was the Nationals' fifth straight defeat in a one-run game, and it was their fifth loss in their last seven games at RFK Stadium.

After the game, a much worse scenario presented itself: All-Star pitcher Livan Hernandez, the loser in Wednesday night's game, said he's contemplating having surgery on his right knee that could end his season.

"His knee, drained on May 16, has been a nagging problem all year. The right-hander (12-4, 3.44 ERA) said it's not bothering him enough to affect his pitching and he wasn't told to have the knee worked on.

"It's not the doctors. It's me. I'm the doctor. I don't need it, but I'm going to" have an operation, he said.

Pressed for an explanation, Hernandez said: "I'm tired of something. ... I'll tell you when the season's over. I'm mad."

John Smoltz (11-5) allowed six hits and struck out seven in eight innings for his seventh straight win and rookie Jeff Francoeur went 3-for-3 with a two-run homer for the visiting Braves.

Jeff Kent hit a three-run homer and Jayson Werth had a two-run shot during Los Angeles' nine-run fifth inning. Derek Lowe (6-10), 0-5 with a 6.34 ERA in seven starts since beating Detroit 5-3 on June 6, allowed six hits, struck out five, gave up two unearned runs and walked none.

Mike Piazza hit a two-run homer to move into a tie with Johnny Bench on the career home run list and Tom Glavine (7-7) won his third consecutive decision, allowing two runs and six hits in six innings.

Ken Griffey Jr. hit one of Cincinnati's three solo homers off Kerry Wood, who was forced from the game after only three innings because of a stiff shoulder.

Albert Pujols homered for the third straight game and John Rodriguez hit his first major league homer for the Cardinals, who have won five of six since the All-Star break.

Juan Encarnacion had a homer and two doubles, driving in three runs, and Carlos Delgado homered for Florida, which won consecutive games for the first time since July 7.

Barry Zito won his fifth straight start, combining with two relievers on a seven-hitter, and Oakland crept closer in the AL West race with a 3-0 victory over Los Angeles.

At Boston, the Red Sox gave David Wells great run support again, scoring five times before making an out.

At Minneapolis, Jacque Jones homered with one out in the ninth inning off Jason Grimsley (0-1), getting his second decisive RBI in two games.

At Chicago, Nate Robertson (5-7) scattered four hits over seven innings, and Chris Shelton and Omar Infante homered as Detroit took two of three games in the series and won for the ninth time in 13.

At Arlington, Texas, Jason Giambi and Tino Martinez each homered twice each, and New York matched its season high with six while winning for the 12th time in 15 games.

At Toronto, Frank Catalanotto and Shea Hillenbrand homered to highlight a five-run fifth inning by the Blue Jays.

At Cleveland, Kansas City's Jose Lima stopped his winless streak on the road at 14 starts and sent the Indians to their 11th loss in 13 games.