With key series looming, Braves shoot for split vs. Nationals

Atlanta goes for a split of its two-game series at the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, where the Braves are well aware the road trip heats up this weekend.

National League East-leading Atlanta (82-57), which lost its second straight game with a 9-5 setback on Tuesday, is headed for a four-game showdown at the second-place Philadelphia Phillies (79-60) this weekend.

The Braves will send Grant Holmes (9-5, 3.71 ERA) to the mound on Wednesday against right-hander Brad Lord (5-2, 3.75) of the Nationals.

Holmes has allowed three earned runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 outings, going 5-1 with a 3.33 ERA. In his last start, Holmes picked up a win against the Colorado Rockies after giving up three runs on eight hits over five innings.

Holmes is 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) versus Washington. The loss came on May 23 despite Holmes striking out a season-high 10 batters and giving up just two runs in five innings of a 2-0 setback.

Lord has worked mainly as a reliever this season, taking on the opener role on several occasions. His gave up a run on two hits over 2 1/3 innings in his last outing Saturday against the Miami Marlins and was charged with a blown save.

Lord is 0-2 with a 2.86 ERA in seven games (two starts) against the Braves. He pitched three innings of scoreless relief to help preserve the Nationals' win on May 23.

Tuesday night was about the new kids on the block in Washington's 9-5 win, as two players shined in their major league debuts. Designated hitter Yohandy Morales had a single, double and a homer and relief pitcher Jared Simpson tossed three scoreless innings to earn the win.

"He looked like he was ready to roll and wasn't nervous at all," Nationals manager Blake Butera said of Morales. "And the same with Simpson. He came in in a big spot, men on first and second in a tight game and gets nine outs in eight hitters."

Washington (67-74) has won five of its last six games.

Morales' first big league hit was a solo home run after he struck out in his first at-bat against AJ Smith-Shawver.

"I had to regroup and go up there," the 24-year-old said. "Missed that first pitch, a fastball, and then he left a splitter up, so got my hands up and as soon as I hit it was like, ‘oh it's got a chance' and started rounding the bases."

CJ Abrams had two hits after missing Monday's game with back soreness.

Outfielder James Wood, playing his second rehab game with the Double-A Harrisburg Senators, went 1-for-3 with a run scored, walk and a strikeout.

Michael Harris II homered for the second straight game for the Braves. He has gone deep in three of his past five games and hit safely in six straight games.

Reliever Blake Burkhalter, Atlanta's No. 15 prospect, made his major league debut Monday. The 25-year-old right-hander allowed one run on a hit and a walk while striking out one in one inning.

"Good job by Burky," Braves manager Walt Weiss said. "Good arm. He gave up the one run, but I saw good stuff. Good fastball, good breaking ball, hard breaking ball and the cutter. So yeah, I thought he handled himself well."

--Field Level Media