Nationals beat – Foster Griffin shut down the Braves with six scoreless innings, and Nasim Nuñez drove in a run in the fifth as the Washington Nationals held on for a 2-1 win Sunday, delivering Atlanta its first home series loss of the season. After a ninth-inning scare, the B
ATLANTA — Foster Griffin kept the Braves from settling into the rhythm they’d owned all season at home. For six scoreless innings, he allowed just three hits, kept the ball down just enough, and made Washington’s lead hold when Atlanta needed a spark most.
That spark came late. Griffin’s night set the stage, and Nasim Nuñez made it count with a run-scoring single in the fifth as the Nationals built a lead they could feel slipping away in the final frame.
Washington survived the ninth-inning comeback attempt to beat Atlanta 2-1 on Sunday. handing the Braves their first home series loss of the season. Atlanta entered with momentum—winning eight straight home series to open the year—but then lost two of three against Washington. The loss left the Braves at 14-2-1 overall in series play this season.
Griffin. listed at 6-2. struck out six and walked one as his six-scoreless stretch kept Atlanta from turning early chances into momentum. In the ninth, though, everything tightened. Gus Varland allowed singles to Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley to open the inning. and Richard Lovelady followed by giving up Eli White’s grounder that Nuñez mishandled at second base for an error—allowing Albies to score from third base.
With the tying run in scoring position, Lovelady walked Ha-Seong Kim to load the bases. Orlando Ribalta came in and struck out Chadwick Tromp and then got Ronald Acuña Jr. on a weak grounder, securing his second save and ending Atlanta’s chance to swing the game fully.
Rain refused to let the game move in a straight line, either. There was a 22-minute weather delay before the game, and steady rain through the sixth inning led to another delay of 1:28 in the top of the seventh.
On the mound for Atlanta, left-hander Martín Pérez (2-3) allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings. In the eighth, right-hander Reynaldo López surrendered a run-scoring single to pinch-hitter Luis García Jr., cutting the Nationals’ lead down to the single run they ultimately had to defend.
Washington’s day included a personnel change before first pitch. The Nationals placed right-hander Jake Irvin on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. Left-hander PJ Poulin was recalled from Triple-A Rochester. Irvin had thrown five hitless innings in Washington’s 2-0 win on Saturday. where he combined with two relievers on a one-hitter.
When the game ended, the series picture shifted. Atlanta’s home dominance had stopped cold—just long enough for Washington to leave with the victory and a first taste of what it means to take one out of the Braves’ place.
Next up. the Nationals open a three-game series at Cleveland on Monday night. with RHP Zack Littell (3-4. 5.83 ERA) scheduled to face RHP Tanner Bibee (0-6. 3.75). For Atlanta. after an off day Monday. the Braves begin a three-game series at Boston on Tuesday night with RHP Spencer Strider (2-0. 3.00) set to start.
Washington Nationals Atlanta Braves Foster Griffin Nasim Nuñez Martín Pérez ninth inning comeback MLB
2-1 seems lowkey like a snooze fest.
I don’t get how the Braves lost at home AGAIN, like how does that even happen with all that momentum? Also Foster Griffin shutting them down for 6 innings is kinda wild.
So the Nationals won cuz of that error at second base right? I feel like if the Braves had just played normal defense they would’ve blown them out, because that ninth inning sounded like a whole mess.
Braves 14-2-1 in series play?? that’s still good right but of course they lose the one they shouldn’t. I swear every time I hear about a “rally past” thing it’s always like one run in the fifth and then everyone panics in the ninth. Also who is Nasim Nuñez never heard of him but suddenly he’s the whole story lol