Pierzynski hits 2 HRs as Braves beat Nationals 2-1

Though it was tough to deal with the growing pains so many of Atlanta’s young pitchers felt throughout August and September’s earliest days, McDowell’s determination to remain diligent in his guidance has provided the Braves reason to feel better about what their more experienced pitching staff might provide next year. The combination worked again Tuesday night.

“A.J. doesn’t pamper him”, Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “Just having confidence that the pitches are going to work”.

SEATTLE – Shawn O’Malley damaged Houston’s playoff hopes with a two-run, bases-loaded single in the eighth inning that gave Seattle a comeback victory. Olivera said after the game he expects to be ready to play Wednesday. “He finds grass all the time”. He has allowed two or fewer runs in three of his past four starts and has a 3.12 ERA during that period. “He pitched very well”.

Arodys Vizcaino pitched a flawless ninth inning for the Braves (64-94) and picked up his ninth save in 10 opportunities. He allowed back-to-back singles to open off the inning before shortstop Ian Desmond’s bunt bounced high in front of the plate.

Alex Wood, traded to the Dodgers in July, is one of at least 17 players who were with the Braves within the past year and are now with organizations that have either secured postseason berths or remain in contention.

You can’t say you didn’t see this coming. “It’s not going to be an easy task, we’ve just got to go out there and try to complete the sweep”. Vizcaino then struck out Matt den Dekker to end it.

For those wondering, the previous record was 18 consecutive one-run home games won by the Boston Red Sox in a period spanning the 20o5-2006 seasons. RHP Steven Strasburg (10-7, 3.63 ERA) will start the series finale for the Nationals against Braves rookie RHP Ryan Weber (0-2, 5.91). Pierzynski dropped in a bloop single to score right fielder Nick Markakis, who had doubled, in the first inning.

Rookie Trea Turner hit his first major league home run to account for the Nationals’ only run.

Pierzynski’s blast to right-center to open the seventh inning capped the scoring.

After the Nationals jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the second, however, Zimmermann settled in, stopped nibbling as he had in the first two innings and started pounding the zone. He is day-to-day. After posting a 4-1 record, 2.66 ERA and.

Nationals: 3B Yunel Escobar was scratched from the lineup with back spasms. The win assures the Braves won’t lose 100 games.

Rookie Williams Perez (7-6) threw six innings and the Braves’ bullpen threw three flawless innings in recording Atlanta’s first shutout since June 21.