Strasburg lasts six innings (Braves win 6-2)

The Nationals, looking for the series sweep against the Braves, got a couple of men on against right-hander Aaron Harang in the second inning.

Asdrubal Cabrera led off with a single. After a loud out to deep right field by Bryce Harper, Danny Espinosa singled to put men on the corners.

But Jose Lobaton was caught looking and Stephen Strasburg lined out to first base.

Strasburg has allowed one hit and struck out three in two innings.

No score heading to the top of the third.

Update: B.J. Upton, starting his first game in the series, slammed his 11th homer of the season, to lead off the fifth and give the Braves a 1-0 lead. Strasburg has allowed only three hits.

Update II: In the bottom of the sixth with two outs, Denard Span and Kevin Frandsen hit singles. With Span on third, Harang's pitch to Jayson Werth went to the back stop. The passed ball by Christian Bethancourt allowed Span to score and the game is tied, 1-1.

Kevin Frandsen is 3-for-3 for the Nationals.

Update III: In the sixth, Justin Upton slapped a RBI single to right field and the Braves lead 2-1.

Later in the inning, Bethancourt added a run-scoring single and the Braves lead 3-1.

Update IV: Strasburg finishes six innings, allowing seven hits, three runs, all earned, no walks and struck out eight. He threw 99 pitches, 67 for strikes.

Update V: In the seventh, the Braves opened up the game against the Nationals bullpen. Freddie Freeman offered a sac fly RBI and Justin Upton crushed a two-run double to make it 6-1.

Update VI: Harper homered in the ninth off Craig Kimbrel, but the Nats lose 6-2 as the Braves avert a three-game sweep.