Braves 6, Nationals 3: Ramiro Pena belted a two-run homer and B.J. Upton added a solo shot as host Atlanta won the rubber match of the three-game series.

Freddie Freeman had two hits and two RBIs to back six solid innings from Paul Maholm as the National League East-leading Braves moved 6 1/2 games ahead of Washington. Maholm (7-4) won his third straight decision, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits.

Anthony Varvaro and Luis Avilan each pitched a scoreless inning before Craig Kimbrel worked a perfect ninth for his 17th save as Atlanta improved to 18-7 at home.

Ian Desmond homered and Tyler Moore had an RBI single for the Nationals, who fell to 3-7 against Atlanta this season and dropped a game under .500. Rookie Nathan Karns (0-1) failed to get through five innings for his second straight start, permitting four runs (three earned) and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Upton's homer in the second snapped a 2-2 tie and Brian McCann added an RBI single in the fifth for a 4-2 lead. Desmond cut the deficit to one in the sixth but Freeman barely missed a grand slam in the bottom of the inning, settling for a two-run double to build the lead to 6-3.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Justin Upton added three hits for the Braves, who have yet to lose a series at Turner Field this season. ... Desmond's blast extended Washington's streak to 75 consecutive series with at least one homer - the longest active run in the majors. ... Atlanta will continue its eight-game homestand when Pittsburgh comes to town Monday to open a three-game set while Washington will have a day off before opening hosting the New York Mets on Tuesday.