Photos: Braves open 2023 season by beating Nationals

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Photos: Braves open 2023 season by beating Nationals

The quest for a sixth straight NL East championship began Thursday in Washington against the Nationals. The Braves won 7-2.

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher A.J. Minter, left, and catcher Sean Murphy high-five after closing out an opening day baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. Atlanta won 7-2. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Atlanta Braves second baseman Orlando Arcia, right, high-fives manager Brian Snitker after an opening day baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. Atlanta won 7-2. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. celebrates after an opening day baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. Atlanta won 7-2. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Atlanta Braves' Sam Hilliard high-fives teammates in the dugout after scoring on Travis d'Arnaud's double during the ninth inning of an opening day baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Hunter Harvey throws to the Atlanta Braves during the eighth inning of an opening day baseball game at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Washington Nationals center fielder Victor Robles prepares to catch a fly ball that was hit by Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. during the ninth inning of an opening day baseball game at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Washington Nationals center fielder Victor Robles catches a fly ball that was hit by Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. during the ninth inning of an opening day baseball game at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher A.J. Minter throws to the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning of an opening day baseball game at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Dylan Lee throws to the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning of an opening day baseball game at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Washington Nationals first baseman Dominic Smith reaches but can't make the catch in time as Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. singles during the fifth inning of an opening day baseball game at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Atlanta Braves' Michael Harris II adjusts his hat while standing in the dugout during the eighth inning of an opening day baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried, left, walks off the field due to a hamstring injury during the fourth inning of an opening day baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Atlanta Braves' Michael Harris II, center, high-fives teammates in the dugout after scoring on Orlando Arcia's single during the second inning of an opening day baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

A pitch clock, bottom right, is seen behind Atlanta Braves' Matt Olson, from left, Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz and home plate umpire Dan Bellino during an opening day baseball game at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

A pitch clock, bottom right, is seen behind Atlanta Braves' Sean Murphy, from left, Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz and home plate umpire Dan Bellino during an opening day baseball game at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Members of the Washington Nationals' Racing Presidents participate in a race during an opening day baseball game between the Nationals and the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley, from left, first baseman Matt Olson, second baseman Ozzie Albies and shortstop Orlando Arcia stand on the field during a pitching change in the fourth inning of an opening day baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried throws to the Washington Nationals during the first inning of an opening day baseball game at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Lucas Luetge throws to the Washington Nationals during the fourth inning of an opening day baseball game at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Patrick Corbin walks into the dugout after being relieved during the fourth inning of an opening day baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Groundskeepers prepare the field before an opening day baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington.

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Jesse Chavez throws to the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning of an opening day baseball game at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker high-fives members of the Braves before an opening day baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington.

Lefthander Max Fried started for the Braves in the season opener against the Nationals/

Lefthander Patrick Corbin started for the Nationals in the season opener against the Braves.

Ozzie Albies singles during the second inning of an opening day baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. Orlando Arcia scored on the play.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Patrick Corbin pauses before speaking with pitching coach Jim Hickey during the second inning of an opening day baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

An Opening Day sticker is affixed to a base during an opening day baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker, left, and Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez hug before an opening day baseball game between the Braves and the Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Atlanta Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia loses a pop-up that was hit by Washington Nationals' Dominic Smith in the sun during the second inning of an opening day baseball game at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Atlanta Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia loses a pop-up that was hit by Washington Nationals' Dominic Smith in the sun during the second inning of an opening day baseball game at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Atlanta Braves' Matt Olson prepares for an at-bat during the first inning of an opening day baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Atlanta Braves' Travis d'Arnaud, right, jogs to home plate for a run after Washington Nationals starting pitcher Patrick Corbin (46) walked Austin Riley with the bases loaded during the second inning of an opening day baseball game at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

A pitch clock is seen behind Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz (20) and home plate umpire Dan Bellino during an opening day baseball game between the Nationals and the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Lucas Luetge, center, is relieved by manager Brian Snitker, right, during the fifth inning of an opening day baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Patrick Corbin throws to Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. during the first inning of an opening day baseball game at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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Credit: AP

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher A.J. Minter, left, and catcher Sean Murphy high-five after closing out an opening day baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. Atlanta won 7-2. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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