Charlie Culberson did it again.
The Rome native hit a pinch-hit walk-off homer, his second of the eight-game homestand, and the Braves beat the Nationals 4-2 on Sunday.
The Braves took three of four from their National League East rivals. And they built a 1.5-game cushion atop the division in the process.
Culberson hit a walk-off homer against the Mets on Monday. Four of his eight career homers were walk-offs.
“The feeling never gets old,” Culberson said. “I don’t really know what to say. Just right place, right time. Things just work out. It doesn’t get old. It’s a lot of fun.”
Dansby Swanson doubled with one out in the ninth. He was initially called out at second, but a challenge overturned the call. Turns out, the Braves didn’t even need him on.
Anibal Sanchez pitched well, giving the Braves seven innings. He allowed two unearned runs. Dansby Swanson’s throwing error helped Wilmer Difo reach in the third inning. Trae Turner, coming off a five-strikeout day, put one into the seats.
The Braves scored a run in the first after Nationals starter Jeremy Hellickson exited after two batters with a hamstring injury. Ozzie Albies had reached on a Mark Reynolds throwing error, and was sent home by Nick Markakis.
Sanchez was a godsend for the Braves after Saturday’s 14-inning contest required six relievers. Dan Winkler entered in the eighth after Ryan Flaherty pinch-hit for Sanchez.
Swanson tied the game at two with a solo shot off Shawn Kelley in the seventh. Swanson was hitting .180 (9-for-50) in his past 15 games entering Sunday. It was his second homer of the team’s eight-game home stand.
The Braves will spend the next week in California, facing the Padres and Dodgers with an off-day in between. They’ll return to SunTrust Park on June 12, and will play just two road games from June 12-28.
