Nationals 4 - 1 Braves
Final/11
  for this game

Nats top Braves in 11 following lengthy rain delay

Aug 10, 2014 - 7:03 AM Atlanta, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - After a nearly four-hour rain delay prior to the start of the game, nine innings weren't enough for the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves to decide a winner on Saturday night.

Wilson Ramos hit a go-ahead RBI single in the top of the 11th inning and the Nationals beat the Braves, 4-1, in the middle test of a three-game set.

Anthony Rendon and Adam LaRoche singled against David Carpenter (4-2) to start the 11th before Ian Desmond lined out to left. James Russell replaced Carpenter and walked Bryce Harper to load the bases with one out.

Anthony Varvaro then came on for Russell and Ramos fisted a base hit into shallow center to plate Rendon. Kevin Frandsen followed with a slicing double down the right-field line that scored LaRoche and Harper to give the Nationals a 4-1 lead.

"It's a big win based off the fact it's two teams just competing the heck out of each other," said Frandsen.

Ramos was thrown out at the plate by Freddie Freeman on the play after he was unable to catch Jason Heyward's cutoff throw from right. Ramos was initially ruled safe, but the play was overturned following a challenge.

Tyler Clippard (7-2) got the win for tossing a scoreless 10th and Rafael Soriano notched his 26th save of the year after blanking Atlanta in the 11th.

Nationals starter Tanner Roark struck out six and allowed a run on six hits and three walks over seven innings for the Nationals, who moved 4 1/2 games ahead of Atlanta for first place in the NL East.

LaRoche smacked a solo homer among his three hits in the triumph.

Freeman was 3-for-4 for Atlanta, which has dropped nine of its last 10 games.

Braves starter Aaron Harang surrendered a run on seven hits and two walks over seven frames in defeat.

"It's tough," said Harang. "Especially against a team we know we're trying to make up ground on."

The game remained scoreless until both teams plated a run in the sixth.

LaRoche led off the frame by launching his towering shot into the seats in right-center.

In the home half, Tommy La Stella began with a walk, Freeman singled and B.J. Upton coaxed a free pass to load the bases. Heyward then lifted a sacrifice fly to center to bring home La Stella and tie the game at 1-1.

The Braves put the potential game-winning run on second in the ninth, but Upton grounded out to end the threat.

Game Notes

Atlanta had won 12 of its last 14 meetings against Washington at Turner Field coming in ... Washington was 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position, while Atlanta finished 0-for-9.






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