Braves 2, Nationals 0
ATLANTA -- Jordan Zimmermann had a quality start in what was likely his last game for the Washington Nationals, but it wasn't good enough to get a victory.
Atlanta rookie right-hander Williams Perez repeatedly pitched out of trouble in his six innings and the Braves defeated the Nationals 2-0 on a pair of early runs off Zimmermann, who becomes a free agent after the season.
Perez (7-6) had just one perfect inning, but he benefited from two double plays and the Nationals (80-78) left seven on base against him while going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
Perez, a 24-year-old from Venezuela, allowed six hits, walked three (one intentionally) and struck out three in a 92-pitch outing as he won his third straight decision after a six-game losing streak.
Zimmermann (13-10) was pulled for a pinch hitter after allowing six hits and two runs over six innings. The right-hander walked one and struck out one, throwing 53 of his 82 pitches for strikes.
Zimmermann, had been 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA in four previous starts in Atlanta, finished the season with a 3.66 ERA in a career-high 33 starts.
Arodys Vizcaino pitched a perfect ninth inning for the Braves (64-94) and picked up his ninth save in 10 opportunities.
Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper was hitless for the seventh times in the past eight games, going 0-for-4 to drop his average to .331.
The Braves scored runs in the first and second innings, striking both times against Zimmermann on two-out hits.
Catcher A.J. Pierzynski dropped in a bloop single to score right fielder Nick Markakis, who had doubled, in the first inning. Then center fielder Michael Bourn made it 2-0 in the second with an RBI single.
The Nationals meanwhile wasted early scoring opportunities against Perez, who gave up a double to second baseman Anthony Redon leading off the game and then a single and walk to start the second inning.
NOTES: Braves 1B Freddie Freeman, who has a small bone spur in his right wrist, was out of the lineup Wednesday and is likely to be limited to pitch hitting the rest of the season. He had attempted to play through the discomfort and hopes to avoid surgery after the season. ... 3B Yunel Escobar (back) was out of the Nationals' lineup for the second straight game. ... 3B Hector Olivera started for the Braves after leaving Tuesday's game in the fifth inning when he was hit on the left elbow by a pitch. ... RHP Steven Strasburg (10-7, 3.63 ERA) will start the series finale for the Nationals against Braves rookie RHP Ryan Weber (0-2, 5.91). Strasburg struck out 50 and walked just four in 30 1/3 innings while posting a 1.48 ERA in four September starts. ... Braves president John Schuerholz turns 75 on Thursday.