Miguel Batista did his best Stephen Strasburg impression in an emergency start in place of the rookie phenom as the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 3-0 on Tuesday at Nationals Park.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said it was his decision to scratch Strasburg after the 22-year-old right-hander had a difficult time getting loose in the bullpen before the game. Rizzo said he made the move as a precaution.

Batista (1-2) was booed by a stunned crowd of 40,043 when announced as the starting pitcher, but he didn't disappoint in his first start since 2008 with Seattle. The 39-year-old right-hander held the Braves to three hits and a walk over five scoreless innings, striking out six for his first win since Sept. 22.

Sean Burnett worked two scoreless innings in relief, Drew Storen pitched a perfect eighth, and Matt Capps worked a perfect ninth for his 25th save in 29 opportunities.

The Braves hurt themselves with two key errors behind starter Tommy Hanson (8-7), who allowed three runs -- one earned -- on six hits over six innings.

Nyjer Morgan led off the bottom of the first with a single, stole second and third, and scored on catcher Brian McCann's throwing error.

The Nationals added to the lead in the second on Ian Desmond's two-run single, which came after third baseman Chipper Jones' throwing error moved runners to second and third.