ATLANTA – The Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves for the third time in four games on Thursday night, and they did it with the same formula that has kept them in most of their games this season.
They once again showed that, even with an inconsistent offense, they can be stabilized by a starting pitching staff that has performed beyond expectations. And that staff can be complemented by a bullpen that can shut the door night after night.
Thursday’s 3-1 victory was no different. Trevor Williams allowed just one run in 5 2/3 innings. Manager Dave Martinez then used four relievers to close down any chance of a comeback. The plan has been simple, but it helped Washington win a road series against the team that has dominated the National League East for the past six seasons.
“I think going into Game 4 of the series, you have a good idea of what the lineup is going to do,” Williams said. “All the guys from the last three days gave tremendous starts. … We were able to execute our game plan for the most part and it was a well-fought win for us.”
Williams, a 32-year-old right-hander, lowered his ERA to 2.22 to improve to 5-0 on the season. He hasn’t allowed more than three runs in a game this season. Neither did rookie Mitchell Parker, who allowed three in the Nationals’ win on Monday. Neither has left-hander MacKenzie Gore, who struck out 10 in the Nationals’ win over the Braves on Wednesday. Even Jake Irvin, who struck out 10 and didn’t allow a run in Tuesday’s loss, has done it just four times in 11 starts.
The Nationals’ starting rotation had the 14th-best ERA (3.98) in the majors entering Thursday; and that’s with Patrick Corbin, who has a 6.12 ERA and is scheduled to start Friday night against the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians. The Nationals’ bullpen has been even better, ranking 12th in the league in ERA (3.73).
“I’m just proud of the rotation, that we can go out every day and give the team a chance to win and give it to our bullpen, which has been so close to us,” Williams said. “It’s been great when everything is working in our favor.”
The Braves are still one of the best teams in the National League, even without reigning MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. And yet, the Nationals made the Braves look average. Atlanta did not score more than four runs in any game, and if not for Marcell Ozuna’s home run on Tuesday, the Nationals could have left Atlanta with a sweep.
“I think it’s very important for the confidence of this team,” Joey Meneses said through an interpreter. “Knowing that we beat a very good team in Atlanta that is always in the fight for the playoffs. “They are a very good team.”
The Nationals scored all of their runs in the third inning on Thursday with a pair of doubles; Meneses hit a two-run double on a pitch that jammed him but slid inside the right field line to score a pair of runs. Jesse Winker drove him in with an RBI double in the next at-bat to put the Nationals ahead 3-0.
That was more than enough for Williams, who was rarely in trouble. His toughest inning came in the third when Jarred Kelenic led off with a triple on a liner that Eddie Rosario played poorly in left. One pitch later, Michael Harris II hit a sacrifice fly to cut the Nationals’ lead.
Two more batters reached in that frame against Williams before Ozzie Albies flew to left. Williams then retired the next eight batters before Albies singled in the sixth inning and ended Williams’ night. That hit was one of the few glimmers of hope for the Braves, but Dylan Floro struck out Orlando Arcia.
Atlanta’s last chance came in the ninth inning when Kyle Finnegan walked Albies leadoff. But Finnegan regrouped to retire the next three batters.
“They’ve been pitching very well,” Martinez said. “They are attacking the zone, they are not giving walks to many players. If you do that, you put hitters in swing mode. Like I said before, that’s a good thing. “It was a good night for Trevor and our entire pitching staff has been really good.”
Grades: Josiah Gray threw his second live bullpen session before Thursday’s game with Martinez watching from behind home plate. Martinez said Gray, who has been sidelined since April 10 with a right flexor strain, threw well and that his breaking balls were more accurate than in his first live session. Gray will throw his third bullpen session on Tuesday. The team will then determine the next step, which could include a rehabilitation assignment. …
Cade Cavalli pitched for Class A high Wilmington on Thursday night, his first start of the year with a Nationals affiliate as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Cavalli did not allow a hit in 2 2/3 innings and struck out five but allowed two runs. Your problem with him? He walked three batters and threw two wild pitches. One run scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded, while the other came on a sacrifice fly.
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