Fansided

Atlanta Braves sweep Nationals, take sole possession of first in NL East

By Michael Collins

Apr 13, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons (19) celebrates with teammates after a three run home run in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons (19) celebrates with teammates after a three run home run in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports /

The Atlanta Braves success against the Washington Nationals continued, as the Braves swept the 3-games series after a 10-2 win on a beautiful spring day at Turner Field in Atlanta.

The win moved the Braves to 8-4, and into sole possession of first place in the National League East.

The Braves played a combination of long ball and small ball in scoring the 10 runs, with Justin Upton (4), Freddie Freeman (4) and Andrelton Simmons (1) all going yard. Atlanta scored six earned runs off Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez.

Freddie Freeman led the offensive charge for the Braves, going 2-for-3, with four RBI and two runs scored. Braves starter Aaron Harang had another impressive outing, going six inning and only giving up one run on five hits, and striking out five. Harang lowered his ERA for the season to a miniscule 0.96, and is now 2-1 since joining the Braves.

The Nationals struggles on the basepaths and defensively also continued, with the Nats committing three more errors, giving them a total of nine for the 3-game set.

There was some good news for the Nationals, as they didn’t lose any players to injury in Sunday’s game. Silver linings, folks.

The Nationals have lost five games this season, all coming against the division-rival Braves.

Home/Atlanta Braves