Teheran outduels Gonzalez as Braves take series
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Julio Teheran threw six shutout innings and the Atlanta Braves defeated the Washington Nationals, 2-1, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Turner Field.
Teheran (10-6) allowed five hits while striking out five and walking three in his outing. Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless ninth to notch his 39th save.
Chris Johnson and Freddie Freeman had an RBI apiece for the Braves, who have won four of their last five games.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"It's a great ballclub over there," said Johnson. "Anytime we can beat them, it's a big win for us. It's a big series in the NL East. Just glad we won the series."
Jayson Werth drove in the lone run for the Nationals, who have lost three of four following a five-game winning streak.
Gio Gonzalez (7-6) had nine strikeouts, but gave up both runs on five hits and four walks over seven innings.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Nationals placed two runners on base in each of the first three innings, but failed to capitalize.
Meanwhile, the Braves scored two runs in the first. B.J. Upton walked to start the inning and stole second base. After Phil Gosselin delivered a bunt single for his first major league hit, Freeman scored Upton with a base hit to center. Two batters later, Johnson knocked an RBI single to right center.
Washington got on the board in the seventh. With Scott Downs taking over for Teheran, Denard Span hit a leadoff single but was forced out on a fielder's choice by Anthony Rendon. After Bryce Harper was walked, David Carpenter came out in relief and gave up an RBI single to Werth.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}However, that would be it for the Nationals. They were retired in short order in the eighth. Span hit a one-out infield single in the ninth, but Kimbrel struck out Rendon and Harper to end the game.
"I love these fans, I really do," Harper said. "These people, they're absolutely unbelievable. If I was playing in crowds like this, I'd be stoked to play here every night. It's just a fan-based organization. Everyone loves the Braves."
Game Notes
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Werth is on a 10-game hitting streak. He is 19-for-39 with 10 RBI during the streak ... The Nationals were 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base ... Johnson is on a seven-game hitting streak ... Atlanta's Jordan Schafer had two stolen bases ... Atlanta is 6-5 all-time in rubber matches against Washington at Turner Field and lead the season series 12-4 ... The Braves have an off day Monday.