Pinch runner Luke Williams scored the winning run on Washington shortstop CJ Abrams’ 10th-inning throwing error, helping the Atlanta Braves beat the visiting Washington Nationals 3-2 on Friday.
After Braves closer Raisel Iglesias (3-1) threw two scoreless innings, Williams advanced to third on Gio Urshela’s groundout. Eduardo Salazar (0-1) got Orlando Arcia to line out, but Abrams threw Michael Harris II’s grounder in the dirt.
Braves starter Chris Sale gave up two runs and nine hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out four.
Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore allowed one run on seven hits, walking none and striking out four.
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Atlanta, which has won five of six, scored the first run of the game on the second pitch of the bottom of the first. Harris sent Gore’s 0-1 slider over the center field wall for his seventh homer of the year.
Ramon Laureano singled and Whit Merrifield doubled to put runners on second and third with nobody out for the Braves in the bottom of the second. But Gore retired Sean Murphy, Urshela and Arcia to escape the jam unscathed.
After Jacob Young doubled and stole third in the top of the third, Nasim Nunez bunted into a 1-3-2 double play to end the frame for the Nationals, who had their two-game win streak end.
In the top of the fourth, Sale retired Joey Gallo and James Wood on seven pitches, but Juan Yepez singled and Keibert Ruiz doubled. Chapparo followed with a two-run double to give Washington a 2-1 lead. After Ildemaro Vargas singled, Sale struck out Jose Tena, ending the inning.
With Sale still pitching in the top of the seventh, Young singled with one out before Nunez walked. Sale then struck out Gallo and Young was caught stealing third by Murphy.
Washington reliever Jacob Barnes entered for the bottom of the seventh, ending Gore’s day after 88 pitches. Barnes got Murphy to ground out but Urshela doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Arcia then tied the score at 2-2 on a sacrifice fly.
Joe Jimenez threw a scoreless eighth and closer Iglesias didn’t allow a run in the ninth and 10th innings for Atlanta.
–Field Level Media
