Nationals 5, Braves 2 (Game 2): Roger Bernadina had an RBI single to snap a tie in the seventh inning and John Lannan won his season debut as host Washington ended a three-game losing skid by salvaging the nightcap of the doubleheader.
After exiting with an ankle injury in the opener, Bryce Harper entered the nightcap as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning. The rookie showed no ill effects after ripping a two-out single and stealing second before coming around to score on Danny Espinosa's RBI single.
The Nationals avenged a 4-0 loss in the opener to maintain their 2 1/2-game lead over the second-place Braves.
Bernadina collected his third hit after he ripped a changeup from Cristhian Martinez (4-2) into right field to plate Sandy Leon and give Washington a 3-2 lead.
Bernadina's single made a winner out of Lannan (1-0), who was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse prior to the contest. The Nationals' 2009 opening day starter, Lannan allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings.
Sean Burnett struck out a pair in the eighth inning before Tyler Clippard retired the side in the ninth for his 16th save. Clippard had allowed seven earned runs while failing to secure two of his last three save opportunities.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Chipper Jones had an RBI double in the first inning and came around to score on the first of Freddie Freeman's two singles. ... Jones was hit by a pitch for just the 18th time in his career. ... Lannan posted a 6-8 mark with a 4.60 ERA with Syracuse.
Atlanta | Washington | |
Randall Delgado | Player | John Lannan |
No Decision | W/L | Win |
6.0 | IP | 7.0 |
4 | Strikeouts | 3 |
6 | Hits | 5 |
3.00 | ERA | 2.57 |
Atlanta | Washington | |
Freddie Freeman | Player | Roger Bernadina |
2 | Hits | 3 |
1 | RBI | 1 |
0 | HR | 0 |
2 | TB | 3 |
.500 | Avg | .750 |
Team | Hits | HR | TB | Avg | LOB | K | RBI | BB | SB | Errors |
Atlanta | 5 | 0 | 7 | .167 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
Washington | 10 | 0 | 10 | .312 | 18 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |