ATLANTA — The Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves for the third time in four games Thursday night, and they did it with the same formula that has kept them in a majority of their contests this season.
They again demonstrated that, even with an inconsistent offense, they can be steadied by a starting pitching staff that has performed beyond expectations. And that staff can be supplemented by a bullpen that can close the door night in and night out.
Thursday’s 3-1 victory was no different. Trevor Williams allowed just one run over 5⅔ innings. Then Manager Dave Martinez used four relievers to shut down any chance of a comeback. The blueprint has been simple, but it helped Washington win a series on the road against the team that has ruled the National League East for the past six seasons.
“I think, going into the fourth game of the series, you kind of have a good feel for what the lineup is going to do,” Williams said. “All the guys the last three days gave tremendous outings. … We were able to execute our game plan for the most part, and it was a well-fought win for us.”
Williams, a 32-year-old right-hander, lowered his ERA to 2.22 in improving to 5-0 on the season. He hasn’t allowed more than three runs in a game this season. Neither has rookie Mitchell Parker, who allowed three in the Nationals’ win on Monday. Neither has lefty MacKenzie Gore, who struck out 10 in the Nationals’ victory over the Braves on Wednesday. Even Jake Irvin, who struck out 10 and didn’t allow a run in Tuesday’s loss, has done so only four times in 11 starts.
The Nationals’ starting rotation had the 14th-best ERA (3.98) in the majors entering Thursday; and that’s with Patrick Corbin, who has a 6.12 ERA and is scheduled to start Friday night against the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians. The Nationals’ bullpen has been even better, ranking 12th in the league in ERA (3.73).
“I’m just proud of the rotation that we’re able to go out there every day and give the team a chance to win and turn it over to our bullpen, who’s been so shut down for us,” Williams said. “It’s been great when all things are firing for us.”
The Braves remain one of the better teams in the National League — even without reigning MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. And yet the Nationals made the Braves look average. Atlanta didn’t score more than four runs in any game, and had it not been for a Marcell Ozuna home run Tuesday, the Nationals might have left Atlanta with a sweep.
“I think it’s very important for the confidence of this team,” Joey Meneses said through an interpreter. “Knowing that we beat a very good team in Atlanta who’s always in the fight for the playoffs. They’re a very good team.”
The Nationals scored all of their runs in the third inning Thursday on a pair of doubles; Meneses hit a two-run double on a pitch that jammed him but sneaked inside the right field line to score a pair of runs. Jesse Winker drove him in with an RBI double in the ensuing at-bat to push the Nationals ahead 3-0.
That was more than enough for Williams, who rarely found himself in a jam. His toughest inning came in the third when Jarred Kelenic led off with a triple on a line drive that Eddie Rosario misplayed in left. One pitch later, Michael Harris II hit a sacrifice fly to cut into the Nationals’ lead.
Two more hitters reached in that frame against Williams before Ozzie Albies flew out to left. Then Williams retired the next eight hitters before Albies singled in the sixth inning and ended Williams’s night. That hit was one of the few glimmers of hope for the Braves, but Dylan Floro struck out Orlando Arcia.
Atlanta’s last chance came in the ninth inning when Kyle Finnegan issued a leadoff walk to Albies. But Finnegan regrouped to retire the next three hitters.
“They’ve been pitching really well,” Martinez said. “They’re attacking the zone, not walking very many guys. You do that, you put hitters in swing mode. As I said before, that’s a good thing. It was a good night for Trevor, and our whole pitching staff has been really good.”
Notes: Josiah Gray threw his second live bullpen session before Thursday’s game with Martinez watching from behind home plate. Martinez said Gray, who has been out since April 10 with a right flexor strain, threw well and that his breaking pitches were sharper than his first live session. Gray will throw his third bullpen session Tuesday. The team then will determine the next step, which could include a rehab assignment. …
Cade Cavalli pitched for high Class A Wilmington on Thursday night, his first start of the year with a Nationals affiliate as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. Cavalli didn’t allow a hit over 2⅔ innings and struck out five but allowed two runs. His problem? He walked three hitters and threw two wild pitches. One run scored on a bases-loaded wild pitch, while the other came via a sacrifice fly.
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