Braves 0 - 2 Nationals
Final
  for this game

Nats continue mastery of Braves

Jun 3, 2012 - 3:57 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Stephen Strasburg tossed seven scoreless innings and Xavier Nady delivered a key pinch-hit RBI double as Washington took down Atlanta, 2-0, in the opener of a truncated two-game series from Nationals Park.

"That's the Strasburg we want to see. He was just unbelievable today, totally in command," said Nationals manager Davey Johnson. "I know he was strong, he still had another inning or two in him, but we got what we needed. The bullpen was set up perfectly thanks to the job he did."

Jesus Flores hit a solo homer for the Nationals, who halted a three-game losing skid.

Strasburg (6-1) scattered four hits and fanned nine to win his third straight start. Tyler Clippard added a perfect ninth for his fourth save.

Brandon Beachy (5-4) was the hard-luck loser, giving up just three hits and a pair of runs in 6 1/3 frames for the Braves, who have dropped six in a row to Washington since last September.

Washington picked up an insurance run in the home seventh. Danny Espinosa drew a one-out walk, signaling Beachy's exit for Chad Durbin, who walked Flores after Espinosa swiped second. Jonny Venters came in but unleashed a wild pitch to put both in scoring position, then served up an RBI double to pinch-hitter Nady.

Sean Burnett left runners on first and second in the eighth by retiring Michael Bourn on a foul out. Martin Prado flied out, then both David Ross and Dan Uggla struck out to end the game.

Strasburg fanned the first four batters of the contest, not allowing a baserunner until a double by Jose Constanza with two outs in the third.

Flores snapped the scoreless tie by starting the home fifth with a blast to left center.

"We could have lost the game 1-0 with the way Strasburg threw the ball, but I'd really like to take a shot at 1-0 rather than 2-0 that's for sure," said Braves skipper Fredi Gonzalez.

Game Notes

Washington blanked an opponent for the fourth time this season and first since late April...Strasburg also tossed scoreless baseball against the Mets on April 11 and Miami on April 21, but both were six-inning outings...The Nats also swept the Braves in Atlanta from May 25-27...Beachy struck out six and walked four.






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