Nationals 15, Braves 1
WASHINGTON -- Hot-hitting Ryan Zimmerman had three hits, including two doubles, and drove in four runs and every starter either had a hit or drove in a run as the Washington Nationals crushed the Atlanta Braves 15-1 Thursday in the first of a four-game series.
Zimmerman, the first baseman, now has six hits and seven RBIs in his last two games, with two homers and three doubles. He has 37 RBIs since coming off the disabled list July 28.
Left fielder Clint Robinson, a 30-year-old rookie, had two hits and a career-high four RBIs and the offense was also aided by center fielder Bryce Harper (four walks, four runs), third baseman Yunel Escobar (three hits, three RBIs) and catcher Wilson Ramos (two hits, two RBIs).
The Nationals (68-65), earning a laugher during a tense pennant race, pulled to within six games of the idle New York Mets in the National League East with their seventh victory in 11 games. Atlanta (54-80) lost its ninth game in a row overall and its 10th straight game on the road while using eight pitchers and collecting just two hits.
The beneficiary of the offensive outburst was Jordan Zimmermann (12-8), who won his fourth start in a row and has not lost at home since June 17. The right-hander from Wisconsin, a free agent after this year, allowed two hits and one run in six innings with five strikeouts and four walks.
Washington scored a run in the sixth to make it 13-1 as Robinson had a sacrifice fly. Escobar had an RBI single to build the margin to 14-1. Danny Espinosa, who entered the game to play left, hit a solo homer in the eighth for a 15-1 lead and his second hit in two at-bats.
Atlanta starter and loser Matt Wisler (5-6) lost his fourth start in a row and has not won since July 26 at St. Louis.
The Nationals drew eight walks and had 18 hits, including five doubles, while scoring the most runs in a home game this year. Rookie infielder Trea Turner of Washington had his first major league hit on an infield single in the seventh.
It was the largest margin of victory in the history of the Nationals franchise, from 2005 to present.
The Nationals took a 2-0 lead in the first on a two-run single by Robinson. The 30-year-old rookie picked on the first pitch from Wisler and hit a liner to left-center to drive in Zimmerman and Harper.
The Braves cut the lead to 2-1 on an RBI groundout by third baseman Hector Olivera.
Washington broke the game open with five runs in the second.
Ramos had an RBI double, Harper walked with the bases loaded, Zimmerman had a sacrifice fly, and Escobar added a two-run single to make it 7-1.
Wisler wound up allowing seven runs on five hits in 1 2/3 innings.
Zimmerman hit a two-run single and Robinson had an RBI single in the third to make it 10-1.
Lefty Ross Detwiler, who pitched with the Nationals from 2007-14, came on in the fifth for the Braves and gave up a leadoff walk to Harper -- his fourth of the game. Zimmerman then followed with an RBI double to make it 11-1. Ramos' sacrifice fly built the margin to 12-1.
Every Washington starter had at least one hit in the first three innings except for Harper, who also drew walks in the first, second and third.
NOTES: Atlanta RHP Julio Teheran (9-7, 4.62 ERA) will start on Friday against Washington RHP Tanner Roark (4-4, 4.54), who will take the spot of RHP Stephen Strasburg. After being pulled after four innings on Sunday, Strasburg complained of back discomfort. Washington manager Matt Williams said he hopes to have Strasburg make a start against the New York Mets during the Sept. 7-9 series ... Washington called up RHP A.J. Cole from Triple-A Syracuse and activated INF/OF Tyler Moore off the disabled list. Moore hit .200 with four homers in his first 150 at-bats this year. Cole (0-0, 5.79 in three games) made his big league debut with a start at Atlanta on April 28 ... Braves third base coach Bo Porter held the same position for Washington when the Nationals won the NL East title in 2012.