BRAVES FALL TO NATIONALS IN SERIES FINALE AT DC

The Atlanta Braves fell to the Washington Nationals 7-0 on Sunday afternoon in the finale of a three-game series at Nationals Park in DC, which denied the Braves a sweep of the Nationals.

It was a tough day on the mound for Max Fried, who took the loss for Atlanta after surrendering five runs and six hits, walking three and striking out two in just two and a third innings.

Howie Kendrick contributed three RBIs towards the Nats’ victory, including a  solo home run off Grant Dayton in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Anibal Sanchez, a former Brave, was credited as the winning pitcher for the Nationals.

Thus ends a seven game road trip that began in Philadelphia with four games against the Phillies and resulted in four wins and three losses for Atlanta. The Braves hold a nine and a half game lead in the National League East over the Nationals.  Their magic number to clinch the division remains at four with 11 games left in the regular season.  They are off today and will begin their final homestand of the regular season on Tuesday evening with a match against the Phillies.  First pitch is slated for 7:20 pm at SunTrust Park.  The game will be broadcast on WLAQ 1410 and 96.9 FM.  Air time is 6:05 pm.

The Braves clinched a playoff berth on Saturday evening with a victory over the Nationals.  Rome native Charlie Culberson was injured in that outing; he was hit by a 91 mph pitch by Fernando Rodney.  He will miss the rest of this season after suffering multiple facial fractures.