Braves notch early rally against Strasburg (Nats fall 4-2)

ATLANTA - The Braves took advantage of some well-placed base hits and timely base running in the first off right-hander Stephen Strasburg.

Ronald Acuña Jr. singled on a line drive to left field. The speedster moved to second base on a steal. Ozzie Albies then dropped in a perfectly placed bloop double into shallow left field to score Acuña with the first run of the game. Freddie Freeman singled to left field to score Albies and suddenly it was 2-0 Braves.

Left-hander Max Fried's lull-the-batter-to-sleep approach has worked well, not to mention his slider and curveball control, keeping the Nats off the board in the first three innings. He has four strikeouts. The lone Nationals hit in the first three innings was an infield single by Anthony Rendon in the first.

Strasburg has gotten into a better rhythm after that first frame, retiring nine of his last 12 batters faced, getting around three walks.

After three innings, the Braves lead the Nats 2-0.

Update: Acuña blasted a solo homer on a 3-0 Strasburg pitch in the bottom of the fifth. Fried has retired 13 in a row.

After five innings, the Braves lead the Nats 3-0.

Update II: Strasburg lasted six innings, allowing three runs on four hits with four walks and seven strikeouts. He threw a season-high 115 pitches, 71 for strikes.

After 6 1/2 innings, the Braves lead the Nats 3-0.

Update III: Nats reliever Roenis Elías left the game in eighth inning after throwing a pitch to Brian McCann. It appeared the soutpaw reinjured his hamstring. McCann later delivered a run-scoring single off of Fernando Rodney.

After eight innings, the Braves lead the Nats 4-0.

Update IV: Victor Robles slammed a two-run shot off Mark Melancon in ninth. It was his 17th homer of the season. Juan Soto singled to left field with two outs. Howie Kendrick grounded out to third base on a full count to end the game.

Final score: Braves 4, Nats 2.