Lane Thomas hit a three-run homer and MacKenzie Gore struck out 10 batters to lead the visiting Washington Nationals to a 7-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.
The Nationals have won two of the first three games of the four-game series.
Thomas’ homer, his third of the season and first since April 14, put the Nationals ahead in the fifth inning. He went 3-for-4 with a walk, three RBI, two runs, two stolen bases and made a long diving catch in right field.
Gore (4-4) pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and no walks. It was his second double-digit strikeout performance.
Atlanta’s Spencer Schwellenbach (0-1) made his major league debut after being recalled from Double-A Mississippi. He began with four scoreless innings but exited after allowing the homer to Thomas.
In five innings he gave up three runs, five hits, one walk and struck out five.
Washington’s Nick Senzel injured his right knee in the second inning and had to leave the game. Senzel, who fouled a ball off his knee prior to drawing a walk, was taking a lead when he stepped back to the bag holding his leg. He immediately left the field and was replaced at third base by Ildemaro Vargas.
Atlanta scored the first run in the third inning. Ozzie Albies singled and was safe at second when shortstop C.J. Abrams let a potential double-play ball roll under his glove for an error. Marcell Ozuna drove Albies home with a single for his 49th RBI.
The Nationals took a 3-1 lead in the fifth inning. Joey Gallo doubled and Jacob Young was hit by a pitch in the head. With one out, Thomas hit a fastball 385 feet into the Washington bullpen for his third home run.
Washington upped the lead to 5-1 on a two-run single by Young with two outs on the sixth off reliever Aaron Bummer.
The Braves scored a run in the sixth when Austin Riley singled and scored on Travis d’Arnaud’s infield grounder.
–Field Level Media