ATLANTA – Juan Soto hit the lead home run in the seventh inning and the Washington Nationals used their bullpen after Sean Nolin was sent off in the first inning to beat the Atlanta Braves 4-2 on Wednesday night.
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Dominican Soto fired his 462-foot club against compatriot Richard Rodríguez (0-1). The ball fell into the seats between right and center field to break the 2-2 tie.
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An RBI double by Luis Garcia off Drew Smyly in the eighth inning pushed Cuban Yadiel Hernandez to give Washington a two-run lead.
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The Braves started the day two and a half games ahead of Philadelphia, second in the NL East. The Phillies later lost to Milwaukee.
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Nolin was sent off after hitting just eight pitches. With one out, he allowed a single by Cuban Jorge Soler, who had three hits. Then, he threw towards Freddie Freeman’s back.
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With his next pitch, Nolin hit Freeman in the hip. It was an apparent retaliation after closer Will Smith hit Soto in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s game.
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Austin Voth (4-1) won, allowing a run in one and two-thirds inning.
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For the Nationals, Venezuelans Alcides Escobar 4-0, Kiebert Ruiz 2-0. The Dominican Soto 5-2 with one scored and one produced. The Cuban Hernández 3-1 with one scored.
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For the Braves, Cuban Soler 4-3. Puerto Rican Eddie Rosario 4-1 with a run scored and an RBI. Venezuelan Ehire Adrianza 1-1.
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