The magic number is down to eight games.

With the playoff push in full force, Atlanta took a another big step toward the postseason by sweeping the Washington Nationals in a three-game set this weekend at Turner Field.

A few quick notes from the big series:

Kris Medlen, again, was fantastic on Friday night. The right-hander struck out 13 batters over seven innings of work while giving up just five hits and one run. He recorded 19 whiffs, 14 of which came on his off-speed offerings, and did it all in an efficient 95 pitches.

Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman were the only two Braves who recorded at least one hit during each game of the series. Freeman went 5-10 with two doubles, a triple, and a home run during the series. Heyward's key moment came in Saturday's game when he launched a game tying home run in the sixth inning.

Ross Detwiler held the Braves in check on Friday, tossing six innings of one run ball, striking out five and walking just one.

Kudos to Atlanta's bullpen, which put up this line during the series: 9 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 12 K, 0 BB. Impressive.

This was Atlanta's first sweep of Washington since 2009, when the Braves took care of business in a three-game set from September 25-27.

Up next: The Braves are off to Miami to take on the Marlins in a three-game series.