Nationals 9, Braves 2: Ryan Zimmerman belted a pair of home runs and drove in three runs as host Washington salvaged a split of its four-game series with Atlanta.

Roger Bernadina and Danny Espinosa each had three hits and two RBIs for the Nationals, who extended their lead in the National League East to 3 1/2 games over the Braves.

Washington left-hander Ross Detwiler (5-3) allowed two runs - one earned - on seven hits in seven innings to secure his first victory since June 5.

Mike Morse had his third three-hit game in the last eight and scored three runs and Sandy Leon added a two-run double for the Nationals, who built an 8-0 lead through five innings.

Braves starter Jair Jurrjens (3-4) was rocked for six runs and nine hits in 2 1/3 innings after lasting only 3 1/3 innings in his previous outing.

Zimmerman, who entered with a .364 lifetime average against Jurrjens, sparked a four-run first inning with a two-run blast and added a solo shot in the third for his 10th career multi-homer game.

Martin Prado, Jason Heyward and Chipper Jones had two hits apiece for Atlanta.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Espinosa extended his hitting streak to eight games. He was at shortstop in place of Ian Desmond, who sat out Sunday's game after his left oblique flared up in Saturday night's game. Catcher Jesus Flores (back) also was not in the lineup. ... Braves rookie reliever Luis Avilan collected his first major league hit with a fifth-inning single. ... Zimmerman had his first multi-homer game since August 2010.