Jayson Werth, Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon smack homers as Nats roll 8-4

Nick Markakis roped a double to center to lead off the game. After a walk to Freddie Freeman, Nick Swisher delivered a two-out RBI single to right off Joe Ross.

The Nationals responded in the second when Yunel Escobar started the frame with a base knock to left. Escobar advanced to second after Braves starter Manny Banuelos walked Ian Desmond. Michael A. Taylor followed with a double belted down the left field line, scoring both Escobar and Desmond to give the Nats the lead.

With two outs, Banuelos yanked a fastball inside and hit Ross. Jayson Werth made the left-hander pay, crushing a three-run homer deep to left. It was Werth's seventh home run of the season.

Bryce Harper blasted his 34th homer of the year to lead off the third. Escobar followed with a single, ending Banuelos afternoon early.

Update: The Nats added another run in the third when Andrelton Simmons booted a groundball from Tyler Moore bringing Escobar to the plate.

Update II: Swisher walked to start the fourth and then scored on Michael Bourn's sharp infield single.

Anthony Rendon answered with a solo homer to left-center in the bottom of the frame. It was Rendon's fourth longball of the year.

Update III: Ross left with one out in the fifth after yielding a double to Jace Peterson and a walk to Freeman. Left-hander Sammy Solis came on, allowing an RBI single to A.J. Pierzynski and an RBI sacrifice fly by Swisher.

Ross was charged with four runs on five hits with three walks and no strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings. After walking just 11 batters over 66 2/3 innings in his first 11 starts, Ross has now issued nine free passes across seven innings in his last two outings.

Update IV: Drew Storen pitched a scoreless eighth and Jonathan Papelbon closed out the Braves in the ninth.

The Nationals beat the Braves 8-4. The Marlins beat the Mets, meaning the Nationals are now four games out of first place in the National League East.