Alex Gonzalez hit a three-run homer and Derek Lowe pitched five scoreless innings as the Atlanta Braves held their ground in the the National League wild card race with a 5-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on Saturday.

Nate McLouth doubled and scored a pair and Derrek Lee added an RBI for the Braves, who snapped a four-game slide to remain one-half game behind the San Diego Padres, who were vicorious Saturday.

Atlanta stole an early lead in the third when Brian McCann reached on a throwing error by third baseman Alberto Gonzalez, allowing Lowe to score.

The game stayed tight until the sixth when the Braves got to Cuban right-hander Yunesky Maya (0-3) for four runs. Lee plated the first run when he doubled in Martin Prado and Gonzalez followed McLouth’s single with his 23rd homer of the season - his sixth since joining Atlanta.

Lowe (15-12) burned through 103 pitches in five frames but walked just one while yielding five hits and striking out four. The veteran right-hander has picked up the win in each of his last four outings, allowing a total of three runs in 25 innings.