Nationals at Braves
The Atlanta Braves sit in first place in the National League East entering Friday’s home matchup with the Washington Nationals, after using a strong pitching performance to capture the opener of a four-game series pitting the division’s top two teams. Three Atlanta pitchers combined to hold the Nationals to five hits in Thursday’s 4-2 triumph, ending Washington’s six-game winning streak and vaulting the Braves ½-game ahead of the Nationals at the top of the division.
The Braves retired 20 of the final 22 Nationals hitters they faced as the combination of Sean Newcomb, Dan Winkler and Arodys Vizcaino stymied a Washington offense that averaged 4.7 runs and 9.7 hits in winning eight of its previous nine games. The Braves got four hits and two runs scored from the top two hitters in their lineup – center fielder Ender Inciarte and second baseman Ozzie Albies – while first baseman Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a double in the third inning. Washington third baseman Anthony Rendon finished with two hits and two RBIs and is hitting .355 with six doubles, two homers and six RBIs in his past eight games. Washington looks to recapture the division lead Friday against the Braves, who enter June in first place for the first time since 2014.
TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FS South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (6-4, 3.13 ERA) vs. Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (4-3, 2.55)
Strasburg has helped fuel Washington’s rise toward the top of the division, going 4-1 in five May starts with a 2.51 ERA and 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings. The 29-year-old gave up seven homers in his first 39 2/3 innings but has surrendered just three across his past 32 1/3 innings, and since May 2 has allowed no more than three earned runs in any start. Strasburg, who shut out Miami on three hits with eight strikeouts in five innings Sunday, beat the Braves in April behind eight shutout innings.
The 26-year-old Foltynewicz continues to make strides in his fourth full major-league season, entering Friday having allowed more than two earned runs only once in 11 starts. He was fantastic in beating Boston on Sunday, surrendering just one run on three hits with seven strikeouts in a season-high seven innings, and has limited opponents to a .216 batting average. Foltynewicz made consecutive starts against the Nationals in early April, going 1-1 with a 2.61 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Washington activated RHP Ryan Madson (strained chest muscle) from the disabled list Thursday, and could activate OF Brian Goodwin (left wrist) and LHP Matt Grace (groin) this weekend.
2. Winkler has limited right-handed hitters to five hits in 51 at-bats with 23 strikeouts this season.
3. Nationals 1B Mark Reynolds finished 0-for-4 in the series opener, but is hitting .341 with six homers and eight RBIs in 14 games with Washington.