Braves 2, Nationals 1
Evan Gattis drove in both runs and visiting Atlanta held Washington to five hits in winning its 12th consecutive game.
Gattis’ two-run single in the fifth erased a 1-0 deficit for the Braves, who pushed their commanding lead in the NL East to 14½ games over the Nationals. Atlanta starter Julio Teheran (9-5) allowed one run – a Bryce Harper solo homer in the third – on four hits in six innings.
Atlanta’s Luis Avilan pitched around an error and a walk in the seventh, getting Adam LaRoche to ground out with the bases loaded. Jordan Walden struck out the side in the eighth and Craig Kimbrel did the same in the ninth for his 35th save.
Washington starter Gio Gonzalez (7-5) gave up two runs on six hits in seven innings, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Nationals from losing for the 12th time in 18 games since the All-Star break. Harper finished with two hits, including his 17th homer of the season.
Justin Upton and B.J. Upton each finished with two hits for Atlanta, which won for the 14th time in its past 16 games. B.J. Upton singled with one out in the fifth, Andrelton Simmons walked and after Teheran's sacrifice bunt, Gattis delivered the go-ahead hit.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Atlanta RF Jason Heyward left the game with a strained neck, suffered in his at-bat in the first. … Both benches emptied briefly in the fifth after Teheran hit Harper with a pitch in the right thigh. … The Braves are riding their longest winning streak since a 15-game surge from April 16-May 2, 2000.