Nationals 5, Braves 4

How the game was won: The Braves overcame a big early deficit against the Nationals for the second day in a row, and for the second day in a row they lost, this time after coming back and taking the lead.

They scored four unanswered runs to take a 4-3 lead in the seventh inning Sunday, but Washington scored two runs in the eighth inning against rookie reliever Cody Martin to beat the Braves 5-4 and complete a three-game sweep at Nationals Park.

Number: 3. Hits for Braves pitcher Alex Wood in three plate appearances Sunday. Wood had been 3-for-68 (.044) with two walks and 48 strikeouts. Wood pitched 6 2/3 innings and allowed only one runner to reach second base after giving up three runs in the first inning.

What's next: The Braves travel to Cincinnati to begin a three-game series against the Reds, with Shelby Miller (4-1, 1.66 ERA) facing Reds right-hander Mike Leake (2-1, 2.47) in Monday night's series opener.

About the Author

David O Brien

Braves decline club options on Pierce Johnson, Tyler Kinley

The Braves declined the club options on relievers Pierce Johnson and Tyler Kinley, meaning that three of their top relievers will be free agents.

OPINION

As business booms for cost-cutting Braves, McGuirk aims for ‘top-5’ payroll

Off the field, the Atlanta Braves were a hit, with third-quarter revenue up 7% from 2024. That's little solace for fans who see ticket prices rising while the payroll isn't.