Nationals 8, Braves 4
WASHINGTON -- On the verge of its biggest series of the season, the Washington Nationals took care of business against the lowly Atlanta Braves, finishing a four-game sweep with a 8-4 triumph Sunday.
Washington starts a three-game series with the division-leading New York Mets on Monday, and it might have been easy for the Nationals to look ahead to a set that could help decide their playoff fate. But they put the hammer down against Atlanta once again to complete their first four-game sweep of the season and improve to 10-0 against the Braves at Nationals Park this season.
Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth cracked a three-run homer off Atlanta starter Manny Banuelos (1-4) in a five-run second inning and Washington cruised from there.
Bryce Harper hit his 34th homer, his third in as many days, and Anthony Rendon added a solo shot as Washington rolled up 36 runs in the four-game series.
Washington starter Joe Ross was the beneficiary of the offensive outburst, but he couldn't hang around long enough to qualify for the victory, lasting just 4 1/3 innings while giving up four runs and five hits. Five Nationals relievers, led by Felipe Rivero (2-1), held Atlanta to just two hits the rest of the way.
The Braves have now dropped 12 straight games -- their longest losing streak since 1988 -- 19 of their last 20 and 34 of their last 43. Left fielder Nick Swisher drove in two runs and scored another, while A.J. Pierzynski added an RBI single, moving him into sole possession of 10th place on the all-time catcher hit list at 1,970.
NOTES: Both teams had late scratches, as Atlanta sat 3B Hector Olivera due to a bruised foot, replacing him with Adonis Garcia. Washington 1B Ryan Zimmerman received a late rest day, with Tyler Moore stepping in to replace him. ... Nationals OF Bryce Harper crossed the 100-run mark Saturday and needs just 17 more RBIs to become the first Washington player to tally 100 walks, 100 runs and 100 RBIs. ... The Nationals now lead the all-time series 100-99. ... Atlanta opens up a series against the Phillies on Monday, with RHP Williams Perez starting against Philadelphia RHP Aaron Harang. The Nationals start a huge three-game set with the Mets on Monday, with RHP Max Scherzer facing Mets LHP Jon Niese.