Nationals 8, Braves 4: Danny Espinosa and Bryce Harper homered as visiting Washington won its second consecutive game and extended Atlanta's losing streak to six.

Washington snapped a 4-4 tie with two runs in the sixth off Atlanta reliever Kris Medlen (1-1). Ian Desmond led off with a double to left and moved to third on a groundout and scored on pinch-hitter Chad Tracy’s double to left.

Pinch-hitter Rick Ankiel’s triple to center scored pinch-runner Edwin Jackson, giving the Nationals a 6-4 advantage.

Harper hit a solo homer leading off the seventh off Jonny Venters, and Adam LaRoche’s double plated Ryan Zimmerman to increase Washington’s lead to 8-4.

The Nationals jumped on Atlanta starter Mike Minor for four runs in the first two innings. LaRoche’s sacrifice fly scored Espinosa in the first to put Washington ahead 1-0.

In the second, Minor gave up back-to-back singles with two outs. Espinosa hit his fifth homer, a three-run shot to left, pushing the Nationals’ advantage to 4-0.

Atlanta scored twice in the second on Juan Francisco’s single to center and J.C. Boscan’s groundout.

In the fifth, Martin Prado singled with two outs, and Dan Uggla followed with his seventh homer. The two-run shot to dead center was just out of the reach of a leaping Harper at the wall to tie the game at 4-4.

Washington starter Stephen Strasburg gave up four runs and six hits in five-plus innings, walking four and striking out six. Washington reliever Tom Gorzelanny (2-1) worked three innings of relief for the victory.

Tyler Clippard got the final two outs for his third save.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Boscan started at catcher after being called up from Triple-A Gwinnett, after Atlanta placed Chipper Jones on the 15-day disabled list Friday. Atlanta catcher Brian McCann is still slowed by the flu, and backup David Ross strained his groin Friday. ... Atlanta leadoff hitter Michael Bourn struck out four times.