Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - With the bases loaded and one out in the eighth
inning, Andrelton Simmons was hit by a pitch to force in Jeff Baker with the
game-winning run, lifting the Atlanta Braves to a 5-4 triumph over the
Washington Nationals on Saturday.
David Ross singled before Dan Uggla and Chipper Jones each drew a walk to load
the bases.
Simmons, who scored the winning run for the Braves on Friday, faced a 2-2
count before he was plunked by Ryan Mattheus (5-2). Baker replaced Ross as a
pinch-runner earlier in the frame.
Washington put a runner on third with one out in the ninth, but Craig Kimbrel
was able to strand pinch-runner Eury Perez to seal the win. It was his 36th
save of the season.
Jason Heyward cracked a two-run homer and Freddie Freeman added a solo shot
for Atlanta, which has won two in a row on the heels of a three-game skid.
They are 6 1/2 games behind the NL East-leading Nationals, but remain on top
in the wild card standings.
Eric O'Flaherty (3-0) earned the win after pitching a perfect eighth.
Adam LaRoche homered and Jayson Werth had two hits and scored a run for the
Nationals.
The Sports Network