Scherzer held the Braves to the one run through five innings, then gave up back-to-back hits to the first two batters he faced in the sixth, Nick Markakis, who doubled, and Anthony Recker, who singled to left.
Advertisement
The 23-year-old Turner is hitting.343 in 204 at-bats for Washington, and half of his six homers and 10 of his 25 RBIs this season have been at the expense of the Braves, who are just 2-12 against the National League East leaders this season.
The former No. 1 overall pick owes a slight assist to Trea Turner, the Washington prospect who has fared quite well as a rookie but has been asked to learn center field on the fly essentially. The ball caromed toward the infield, and Swanson slid home headfirst, easily beating the throw by Bryce Harper.
Included in the scrutinized (for the Arizona Diamondbacks) Shelby Miller trade last December, Swanson has played in 16 games for the Braves in just his second professional season.
Atlanta’s previous inside-the-park home run was by Wes Helms on October 7, 2001.
“That one inning got away from us real quick”, Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said.
Taylor scored the go-ahead run on catcher Tyler Flowers’ throwing error as part of a three-run eighth inning as the Nationals defeated Atlanta 9-7.
Rendon responded in the last of the third with the first grand slam of his career to put the Nationals up 5-4. The Nationals entered the series opener with the best bullpen ERA in the NL (3.29), but closer Mark Melancon surrendered two runs on four hits in a shaky ninth inning. Zimmerman chased Perez two batters later with a solo homer.
OF Ender Inciarte singled twice to extend his hitting streak to 17 games, two shy of his career high.
Advertisement
“He’s full of determination”, Nationals manager Dusty Baker said. Freeman pushed his hitting streak to 13 games with a single. Atlanta RHP Mike Foltynewicz (8-5, 4.31) is slated to pitch Wednesday against Washington, which had not announced its starter … But Scherzer stayed in the game to bunt Lobaton over to second base and returned to the mound in the seventh inning to face Atlanta’s two, three, and four hitters. All signs point toward the return of Stephen Strasburg (15-4, 3.59 ERA), who has not pitched since getting rocked for nine runs over 1 2/3 innings August 17 at Colorado due to right elbow soreness that landed the All-Star on the disabled list.
