He doesn't get rattled on the mound."

A soft-spoken southerner, Hanson is enjoying his stay in the big leagues because of the new challenges he confronts.

"Overall, it's just better," Hanson said, comparing the Major Leagues to Minors. "Everyone you face in the lineup is a good hitter. There's no breaks."

And the comparably luxurious living style? That too "is just better," according to Hanson.

Pitching matchup
ATL: RHP Tommy Hanson (4-0, 2.48 ERA)
Hanson may have had the flu while pitching on Sunday against the Red Sox, but he made the Boston hitters feel just as sick. Hanson fought through his illness to throw six scoreless innings of two-hit ball. On a hot, muggy day at Turner Field, Hanson threw 97 pitches despite barely feeling well enough to start. For the second consecutive outing, Hanson silenced a potent American League East lineup. The rookie shut out the Yankees on June 23 and has now thrown 20 consecutive scoreless innings.

WSH: LHP John Lannan (5-5, 3.45 ERA)
Lannan continues to show he is the leader of the Washington rotation. He picked up his fifth straight quality start and helped the Nationals defeat the Orioles, 5-3, at Camden Yards on Sunday afternoon. Lannan pitched 7 1/3 innings and gave up three runs on six hits. Early on, Lannan had problems with his two-seam fastball, and it showed in the second inning. After Nolan Reimold walked, Luke Scott doubled to put runners on second and third. Oscar Salazar then singled to left to send Reimold home and give Baltimore a 1-0 lead. But in typical Lannan fashion, he battled back and was able to get out of the inning. Matt Wieters then hit into a double play, and Robert Andino grounded out. Lannan cruised until the eighth inning, when he gave up a pair of hits.