Scherzer, Turner spark Nationals to 6-4 win over Braves

Despite residing in last place in the National League East, the Braves have won six in a row and continued to hit the ball well to start the series against the Nationals.

In the second, Nick Markakis singled with one away. Following a walk to Anthony Recker, Jace Peterson laced a double down the left field line to give the Braves a 1-0 lead.

But Max Scherzer retaliated by getting Gordon Beckham on a called third strike, a 96 mph four-seam fastball. Scherzer then induced a weak grounder to first by pitcher Ryan Weber that ended the threat.

The Nationals got a Trea Turner double and Anthony Rendon single in the first, but were unable to score. Clint Robinson grounded into a 6-3 double play to end that chance.

After one and a half innings, the Braves lead 1-0.

Update: The Nats grilled Ryan Weber in the third. Turner launched a 2-1 pitch over the left field wall for a two-run shot, his sixth of the season. Later, Chris Heisey crushed a three-run shot on a 1-2 pitch, his ninth of the season, and the Nats lead 5-1 after three innings.

Update II: Weber was pulled after three innings for the Braves. He allowed five runs on six hits (two homers) with one walk and two strikeouts.

Turner delivered an RBI single in the fourth off of reliever Jed Bradley and the Nats lead 6-1. Turner is 3-for-3 with a double, a homer and three RBIs in three at-bats.

Update III: Scherzer gave up a run in the first, but just one other run in the next six innings, and is in line for his 16th win. He finished seven innings, scattering seven hits, with two walks and five strikeouts.

Update IV: Koda Glover pitched a scoreless eighth frame. In the ninth, Mark Melancon allowed three consecutive hits, including Freddie Freeman's RBI single and the Nats' lead was cut to 6-3. The Braves added another run on a double play grounder from Matt Kemp.

Melancon got Anthony Recker to line out to right to end the game.

The Nats have now won 80 games on the season and snap a two-game skid.