Doolittle blames pitch execution for late homer, Nats fall in extras

Nationals closer Sean Doolittle has allowed two solo homers in his last two appearances.

The homer given up to the Braves pinch-hitter Charlie Culberson on Friday night didn't hurt as much because the Nats were up by four runs and won the game 6-3.

But the margin for error was much different Wednesday afternoon.

With the game tied at 4-4 in the top of the 10th inning, Doolittle (6-3) surrendered a no-doubt solo homer over the center field wall to Braves slugger Josh Donaldson. Donaldson's 25th homer of the season lifted the Braves to a 5-4, 10-inning series winner over the Nationals at Nats Park.

"It was pretty close to where I wanted it," Doolittle said. "I talked to (Kurt Suzuki) and he said it was a little away. We were trying to go up and in, so it might of drifted a little back towards the outer part of the plate, and he was able to get the barrel on it.

"Unfortunately, that's a pitch I live and die with and it's a pitch that I've had success with against him this year. He made an adjustment. With two strikes, feel good about it, just got beat. It stinks."

Adam Duvall homered for the third time this series, while Ozzie Albies and Tyler Flowers drilled RBI doubles, sending the Nats 6 1/2 games back in the National League East.

The Braves liked what they saw against Nationals starter Aníbal Sánchez to the tune of 10 hits. Six of the base knocks went for extra bases - five doubles and a homer.

Atlanta went homer, single and double in the second; single, single, single in the fourth; and double, double in the sixth to build a 4-1 advantage.

Juan Soto hit his 20th homer of the season for the Nats to lead off the bottom of the second inning. The 20-year-old now has 42 homers in less than two seasons and is tied with former teammate Bryce Harper for third all-time in homers before their 21st birthdays.

Down 4-1 in the bottom of the sixth against Braves starter Mike Soroka, the Nationals had a golden opportunity to get back in the game.

Pinch-hitter Howie Kendrick walked to lead off the frame. With no outs, Trea Turner drove a double to deep left-center field.

Third base coach Bob Henley sent Kendrick home. Kendrick slid home head first but was out on an 8-6-2 relay and tag by Flowers. Soroka then retired Adam Eaton and Anthony Rendon to end the inning. But afterward, Henley's manager did not second guess the call.

"He's a very aggressive third base coach," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez. "And you know what, I'm not going to fault (him). Whatever people say, he's really good at what he does. Super good. He makes more right decisions than he does wrong.

"And I'm not saying that this was a wrong one," Martinez concluded. "He saw what he saw and sent Howie. I never question him on any time he sends anybody. He's been really good. He's been there for many, many years. I love him over there. He does a great job."

Matt Adams got the Nats closer in the bottom of the eighth with a pinch-hit solo homer. His 17th homer of the season went over the right field wall to cut the Braves lead to 4-2. Atlanta allowed only two solo homers all day.

Trailing by two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Nats rallied again.

Washington loaded the bases on singles by Eaton and Rendon and a walk to Soto. Suzuki delivered an RBI single and Gerardo Parra grounded into a 6-4-3 double play that scored a ruun to tie the game. The Nats had to feel frustrated to have the bases loaded in the ninth with no one out and have to settle for just tying the game.

"Granted, Parra hit the ball hard," said Martinez. "I actually think it hit the side of the mound, kicked back. But he drove in a run there and we tied the game. We got Doo in the game. And with a chance to hold them right there and come back and win again."

Down 5-4 after Donaldson's blast off Doolittle, the Nats even got two men on against Josh Tomlin in the bottom of the 10th. With one out, pinch-hitter Adrián Sanchez singled and Turner was walked. But Tomlin got Eaton on a weak popup to shortstop and Rendon lined out to left field on a well-hit ball that ended the game.

"We come back in the bottom of the 10th and we've got probably our best hitter up there, and he hits a line drive to end the game," Martinez said. "We hit some balls pretty good today. But it was late in games. We played hard. These guys play hard. They don't quit. They keep fighting and then play hard to the end. We just fell short today."

Braves reliever Sean Newcomb notched the win (5-1) with one inning of shutout relief. Tomlin earned the save. Now the Nats head to the West Coast with three brand new relievers joining up with them, determined to start winning series again after setbacks to the first place Dodgers and Braves.