Braves 4, Nationals 0 (Game 1): Ben Sheets struck out six in as many innings and Brian McCann homered for the third straight game as visiting Atlanta inched closer to National League East-leading Washington by winning the opener of a doubleheader.

Chipper Jones belted a pinch-hit two-run homer in the ninth inning and Michael Bourn scored on a wild pitch for the second-place Braves, who fell back to 2 1/2 games behind the Nationals following a 5-2 setback in the nightcap.

Washington rookie Bryce Harper fouled a bunt off his left ankle in the first inning. Harper remained in the game until Roger Bernadina replaced him to start the third. Harper was not seriously injured as he entered the nightcap as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning.

Sheets (2-0) scattered five hits while making his second start after a two-year absence following Tommy John surgery.

After the teams combined for 21 runs in Friday's series opener, McCann's line-drive blast in the second inning proved to be enough in this one. McCann extended his hitting streak to 11 games after depositing an offering from Edwin Jackson (5-6) over the wall in right field for his 16th homer.

Bourn stole second and third base in the eighth inning before scoring on a wild pitch from Henry Rodriguez. Jones provided insurance on inning later with his ninth homer of the season and 463rd career.

Jackson suffered a hard-luck loss after permitting one run on five hits in seven innings. His nine strikeouts matched a season high, which was originally set in a 4-1 win over Cincinnati on April 14.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Sheets handcuffed Washington in his last appearance - tossing a five-hit shutout for Milwaukee on Aug. 9, 2008. ... Dan Uggla, who plated the game-winning run in Friday's wild 11-10 victory, went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. ... Atlanta placed OF Matt Diaz on the 15-day disabled list with a right thumb contusion. The Braves activated LHP Jonny Venters from the disabled list. ... Braves RHP Randall Delgado was activated from Triple-A Gwinnett to start the nightcap against LHP John Lannan, who was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse. ... The Nationals designated OF Xavier Nady for assignment.