Roark subs for Strasburg and dismantles Braves 3-0

For a pitcher who only knew he was going to start just 24 hours before his first pitch, Tanner Roark did quite well for himself.

Roark (1-1) did not allow the Braves a run through seven innings, scattering four hits to earn his first win of the season.

He not only won the game but provided the bullpen with a huge rest as the Nationals shut out the Braves 3-0. Washington has allowed Atlanta to score only nine runs in their first five meetings.

Roark finished allowing no runs, three walks, one wild pitch and one hit batter while striking out four. He fired 100 pitches, 60 for strikes.

Stephen Strasburg was the scheduled starter but was replaced by Roark. Strasburg did not pitch due to an illness. There is a chance Strasburg could start Thursday's series finale.

Stephen Drew is making it a week of firsts.

Tuesday night his first single with the Nationals ignited a two-run rally in the eighth, lifting his team to a 2-1 win over the Braves.

Wednesday night he crushed his first homer as a National deep over the right-center field wall, giving his club an early 1-0 lead in the fourth.

He also was starting at third base for only the second time in his career.

Jayson Werth also added to the firsts by cranking his first homer of the season, a two-run shot three batters later, making it 3-0 Nationals.

It was Drew's first homer since Sept. 2 with the Yankees last season at Boston. Werth homered for the first time since Sept. 25, last year against the Phillies.

The Nationals did a very good job keeping the Braves' most dangerous hitter, Freddie Freeman, off the bases. Freeman flew out to left twice and was caught looking by Roark. Oliver Perez caught Freeman looking in the eighth.

Perez pitched a scoreless eighth with two strikeouts. Jonathan Papelbon got through the ninth unscathed for his fifth save.

Atlanta has now lost 13 straight at Nationals Park.

The Nationals are now 6-1 due in large part to stingy defense and pitching, surrendering 17 runs in seven games (2.4 runs allowed per game), the fewest runs allowed in the major leagues.