Travis d’Arnaud had a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth inning in his first game back in a week, helping the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 4-2 on Saturday night. This win marked the Braves’ sixth victory in their last seven games.
Orlando Arcia and Ramón Laureano each hit solo home runs, and Whit Merrifield contributed with two hits, two walks, and a run scored for the Braves.
“Cautiously optimistic, I guess,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said about how his team is coming together. “We just have to keep fighting. It is probably what I envisioned for the rest of the way — these close games.”
The Braves have won their last five games by two runs or fewer.
Four Braves relievers pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings, and Pierce Johnson earned his second save with a perfect ninth inning. He replaced Rasiel Iglesias, who was unavailable after pitching in three games over four days.
“Dylan (Lee) hadn’t pitched in a while, and the out by (Aaron) Bummer was huge against a really dangerous hitter,” Snitker said. “Grant (Holmes) pitched around some traffic, and Pierce only threw four pitches. Those guys were really good again.”
Nationals rookie José Tena went 3 for 4 with a two-run homer, the first of his career. CJ Abrams and Andrés Chaparro each had two hits for Washington, which left eight runners on base after scoring just two runs on 10 hits the night before.
“We have to start driving in some runs,” said Nationals manager Dave Martinez, who managed his 1,000th career game. “We’re scoring two runs a game. We have to do a better job hitting the ball hard in the middle of the field.”
Braves starter Charlie Morton pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up two runs and eight hits with two walks. He struck out six.
He was pitching in front of several former teammates as the Braves celebrated Alumni Weekend.
