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Zimmermann, Nationals top Braves

Jul 1, 2015 - 5:08 AM Atlanta, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - Jordan Zimmermann fired 7 2/3 scoreless innings and the Washington Nationals defeated the Atlanta Braves 6-1 in the opener of a three-game set.

Zimmermann (6-5) struck out six and scattered six hits for the Nationals, who have won nine of their last 10 games. Clint Robinson smacked a two-run homer and Danny Espinosa went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored in the triumph.

Shelby Miller (5-4) punched out 10, but allowed five runs -- four earned -- on eight hits and three walks for Atlanta, which has dropped six of its last seven games. Juan Uribe homered in defeat.

"They got him early," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "It just wasn't a normal Shelby Miller outing."

The Nationals opened the scoring with four runs in the first and added another in the third.

"Any time you get runs like that early in the game, you can pound the zone, throw strikes, and let them put the ball in play," said Zimmermann.

Denard Span led off the first with a single and came home on Espinosa's double into left-center. Espinosa moved to third on Yunel Escobar's groundout and scored on Wilson Ramos' base hit up the middle two batters later. Robinson's two-run shot to right gave Washington a 4-0 advantage.

Singles to begin the third by Espinosa and Escobar put runners on first and second and each moved up a base on Bryce Harper's flyout. Andrelton Simmons threw to the plate when Ramos rolled one to him at shortstop. A.J. Pierzynski, though, committed a throwing error to third when Espinosa was trapped in a rundown, allowing him to score for a 5-0 Nats lead.

Robinson and Ian Desmond then struck out with runners on second and third to end the threat.

Escobar scored on Ramos' double-play groundout in the ninth and Uribe's leadoff blast in the home ninth capped the scoring.

Game Notes

Washington has won its last nine meetings with the Braves ... Zimmermann improved to 6-2 in his career against Atlanta ... Miller is winless in his last eight starts ... The Nationals were 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.