DJ Herz, Nationals shut down Braves, avoid sweep

Field Level Media|published: Sun 25th August, 15:07 2024

MLB: Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves

Aug 25, 2024; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher DJ Herz (74) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Jacob Young had two hits, including an RBI double to highlight a three-run seventh inning, helping the visiting Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 5-1 on Sunday and salvage the finale of the three-game series.

Washington is 7-4 against Atlanta and is guaranteed to win a season series against the Braves for the first time since 2017.

The decisive uprising, which broke a 1-1 tie, came against reliever Luke Jackson (4-3) and was aided by some shaky Atlanta defense.

Washington's Keibert Ruiz reached on an error by Whit Merrifield and went to third on a single by Drew Millas, who advanced on a passed ball. Ruiz scored on a wild pitch and Young produced an RBI double. C.J. Abrams followed with an RBI single that glanced off Merrifield's glove.

Abrams singled home an insurance run in the ninth.

Washington starter DJ Herz allowed only one hit -- a second-inning single by Orlando Arcia -- in five innings. He walked three and struck out eight. He has allowed two or fewer runs in each of his last seven starts with 42 strikeouts over 34 1/3 innings.

Jacob Barnes (8-2) allowed the tying run but was the beneficiary of the rally. Eduardo Salazar pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings and Kyle Finnegan worked the final 1 1/3 innings to earn his 32nd save.

Atlanta starter Reynaldo Lopez pitched six innings and allowed one run on three hits, three walks and seven strikeouts.

The Nationals scored a run in the first. James Wood drew a one-out walk and advanced to third when Luis Garcia Jr. singled. Wood scored when Andres Chaparro grounded into a double play, with Garcia getting in a rundown long enough to allow the run to score.

Atlanta, which was limited to three hits, tied the game 1-1 in the sixth when Matt Olson hit a 429-foot homer to center field, his 22nd, against Barnes.

Atlanta's Michael Harris II was hit by a pitch on the left wrist in the first. He was replaced by Jarred Kelenic as a precautionary move in the fifth after experiencing soreness.

--Field Level Media