Nationals 8, Braves 7 (15)
Nationals 8, Braves 7 (15): Adam LaRoche launched a towering home run in the 15th inning as visiting Washington evened the series at a game apiece.
The Nationals were one out away from victory when Jason Heyward launched his second homer of the night, a two-run blast to right-center against closer Rafael Soriano that tied it at 7 in the ninth. LaRoche fouled off three straight pitches from Kris Medlen (10-11) before cranking a 1-2 curveball into the seats in right, and Dan Haren held the lead for his first major-league save.
Craig Stammen (6-5) struck out five over three scoreless innings for the win. Ryan Zimmerman also homered and Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos each drove in two runs for the Nationals, who won for only the fourth time in 15 meetings this season. Brian McCann and Freddie Freeman also homered for Atlanta, which lost for only the third time in 21 games.
Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg drilled Justin Upton in the back in the first inning, drawing warnings to both benches from home plate umpire Marvin Hudson, and Strasburg and manager Davey Johnson were ejected after the right-hander threw back-to-back fastballs behind Andrelton Simmons in the second.
The Nationals were incensed Friday night when Bryce Harper was twice hit with pitches. Harper was scratched from the lineup Saturday with a bruised triceps but entered the game in the ninth.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Strasburg threw seven pitches in the second without throwing a strike. He walked Jordan Schafer on four pitches and threw three straight wild pitches with Simmons at the plate, allowing Schafer to score. … Nationals OF Scott Hairston was ejected in the ninth after arguing with Hudson following a called third strike. … Braves starter Mike Minor was tagged for four runs on four hits and walked four in 1 2/3 innings, the shortest start of his career.