WASHINGTON — Kris Medlen pitched seven shutout innings in his latest winning performance and Martin Prado’s two-run double proved decisive to help the Braves end a four-game losing streak with a 5-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night.

Medlen (5-1) allowed seven hits while striking out seven and walking one in his fifth start of the season. The Braves have won 16 consecutive starts behind the right-hander dating back to May 2010.

More importantly, Atlanta salvaged the three-game divisional series and halted the Nationals’ three-game winning streak. The Braves, who entered the day atop the National League wild-card chase, moved within six games of the NL East-leading Nationals.

Coming off a shutout in his last outing, Medlen extended his scoreless streak to 21 innings. Since entering the Braves’ rotation July 31, the right-hander is 4-0 with a 0.84 ERA.

For the first time in five games, the Braves’ offense scored more than two runs. Prado’s fifth-inning double gave the Braves an early 2-0 lead. After the Nationals cut the lead in half in the eighth, the Braves pulled away with three runs in the ninth.

The Nationals scored an unearned run against the Braves’ bullpen after Medlen exited following 103 pitches.

Bryce Harper opened the eighth with an opposite-field single against reliever Eric O’Flaherty, and took second on left fielder Reed Johnson’s bobble. After moving to third on Ryan Zimmerman’s ground-ball out, Harper scored on Michael Morse’s single.

O’Flaherty walked Adam LaRoche, but avoided further damage by inducing Ian Desmond into a double-play grounder.

With two outs in the fifth inning and Tyler Pastornicky on first base, Detwiler walked his counterpart, Medlen, on four pitches. Up stepped Prado, who laced a 2-2 slider toward center fielder Harper. The rookie initially broke in on the liner which sailed over his head. Both runners scored on the double, Prado’s second of the game.

Two of the Braves’ three ninth-inning runs against Nationals reliever Tom Gorzelanny were unearned. David Ross’ sacrifice fly scored Chipper Jones and Michael Bourn’s pinch-hit RBI single plated Freddie Freeman. Bourn later stole third base and advanced home on a throwing error by catcher Kurt Suzuki.

The Nationals had opportunities against Medlen with the best coming in the sixth. Jayson Werth opened the inning with a double to left as Prado’s attempt at a diving catch came up short and the ball rolled to the wall. One out later, Zimmerman singled and Medlen walked Morse, loading the bases.

The 26-year-old Medlen hung tough, getting LaRoche out on a foul pop to first base and Desmond with a grounder.

With runners on the corners against Medlen in the second, Suzuki hit a grounder through the box, but with Danny Espinosa running on the pitch, Braves second baseman Pastornicky moved as well and was perfectly positioned to start a 4-3 double play.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth in a non-save situation.

The Nationals, who matched a franchise on Tuesday by extending their division lead to seven games, maintain a 10-5 series lead over the Braves this season. The two sides wrap up their regular season meetings September 14-16 in Atlanta.

NOTES: Pre-game showers delayed the start by 29 minutes. … Before the game Washington honored the retiring Jones, who finished 1-for-4 in his final regular-season game at Nationals Park. … Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez rested usual starting C Brian McCann along with OF Bourn and 2B Dan Uggla, who also pinch-hit in the ninth. … Atlanta opens a four-game series at San Francisco tonight with RHP Tommy Hanson facing lefty Barry Zito. Following an off-day, Edwin Jackson starts for Washington on Friday at Philadelphia.