WASHINGTON (Interstat) — Bryce Elder pitched 6 2/3 solid innings and Matt Olson hit a two-run homer as the Atlanta Braves defeated the Washington Nationals 9-4 on Monday night at Nationals Park. Elder allowed three runs on three hits to earn the win, improving to 3-1. The Braves broke open a close game with a five-run sixth inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Drake Baldwin. Olson added a sacrifice fly in the ninth. Washington’s Jake Irvin took the loss, yielding three runs over five innings. Jacob Young drove in two runs for the Nationals, who scored twice in the first inning but managed only three hits total. The game took 2 hours, 28 minutes. Attendance was 12,022. Atlanta improved to 16-7, while Washington fell to 10-13.

WASHINGTON (Interstat) — Matt Olson’s three-run homer ignited a dormant Atlanta offense and Bryce Elder delivered a steady start as the Braves pulled away from the Washington Nationals 9-4 on Monday night at Nationals Park. A crowd of 12,022 watched the Braves, who entered as heavy favorites, shake off a shaky first inning by their starter and methodically dismantle the Nationals with a pair of big innings to secure their fourth consecutive victory. The most important sequence of the game arrived in the top of the fourth inning, transforming a one-run deficit into a lead Atlanta would not relinquish. After being held hitless through three innings by Washington starter Jake Irvin, the Braves’ rally began with Ronald Acuña Jr. getting hit by a pitch. Catcher Drake Baldwin followed with a sharp single to center, setting the stage for Olson. The first baseman then crushed a 2-0 offering from Irvin deep to center field for a three-run homer, his sixth of the season, erasing Washington’s early advantage and giving Atlanta a 3-2 lead. Elder, named the top star for Atlanta, weathered a difficult first inning to earn his third win against one loss. The right-hander allowed a two-out, two-run single to Jacob Young in the first, putting the Braves in an early hole. He settled in thereafter, limiting the Nationals to just three hits over 6 2/3 innings. Elder surrendered three runs, all earned, walked two and struck out six. His performance continued a strong recent run, following a scoreless outing against Miami last week. Irvin took the loss for Washington, falling to 1-3. He was effective early but was undone by the fourth-inning homer to Olson. His final line showed three runs allowed on three hits over five innings, with four strikeouts. Atlanta broke the game open with a five-run sixth inning, capitalizing on defensive miscues by the Nationals. Mike Yastrzemski reached on a throwing error by second baseman Nasim Nuñez to begin the frame. After Acuña was hit by a pitch again, Baldwin laced a two-run double down the left-field line off reliever Brad Lord. Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II followed with run-scoring singles, and another run crossed on a fielder’s choice, stretching the Atlanta lead to 8-3. Washington managed a single run in the bottom of the sixth on an error by Atlanta third baseman Austin Riley, but could muster no sustained offense against the Braves’ bullpen. Tyler Kinley struck out two in a perfect seventh, Aaron Bummer recorded a key out to end the seventh, and Joel Payamps pitched a scoreless eighth. The Braves added two insurance runs in the ninth on a bunt single by Eli White and a sacrifice fly from Olson, his fourth RBI of the night. For Washington, Daylen Lile provided a bright spot with a solo home run to right field in the fourth inning, his second of the year. Young finished with two RBIs on his first-inning single. Atlanta’s bullpen combination of Kinley, Bummer and Payamps retired the final seven Nationals batters in order to seal the victory. The Braves improved to 16-7 with the win, maintaining their strong early-season form. The Nationals fell to 10-13. The game time was 2 hours, 28 minutes. The teams will continue their four-game series on Tuesday night at Nationals Park.

Braves, Nationals Open Series in Washington WASHINGTON (Interstat) — The Atlanta Braves, owners of the National League’s best record, open a four-game series against the Washington Nationals on Monday at Nationals Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EDT under cloudy skies with a temperature near 58 degrees. The Braves (14-7) arrive having won seven of their last nine, including a 3-1 victory at Philadelphia on Saturday behind a strong start from Chris Sale. Atlanta’s pitching staff has been a strength, posting a 2.33 ERA over the past week. Right-hander Jake Irvin (1-2, 4.91 ERA) gets the start for Atlanta. He will face a Nationals club (10-12) coming off a 3-0 shutout of San Francisco on Sunday. Washington will counter with left-hander Andrew Alvarez, who delivered 4 1/3 scoreless innings of relief in that victory. Alvarez has a 2.08 ERA in 8 2/3 innings this season. A player to watch for the Braves is Sale, who is 4-1 with a 2.48 ERA. In his last start, he allowed one run over seven innings with seven strikeouts against the Phillies. For the Nationals, first baseman Curtis Mead provided the key hit in Sunday’s win with a two-run homer. The Braves have dominated the early season behind a potent offense and steady pitching, while the Nationals have struggled for consistency, alternating winning and losing streaks. According to National Statistical’s game simulator, the Braves are projected to win 8-5. Atlanta is a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5, and the over/under is set at 8 runs. This series begins a 10-game homestand for Washington. Atlanta continues a road trip before returning home Friday to face Philadelphia.