The Atlanta Braves fell to the Washington Nationals 4-2 on Wednesday night in game two of a three-game set among rivals in the National League East at Truist Park, which resulted in a 1-1 split in the series.
Josh Bell gave the Nationals a 2-0 lead with an RBI ground out in the top of the first inning and a solo home run during the top of the fourth. The Braves cut that lead in half with a solo home run from Adam Duvall in the bottom of the fourth.
Atlanta tied it up at 2-2 on a solo shot off the bat of Eddie Rosario during the bottom of the sixth.
However, the Nats broke that tie on a solo home run by Juan Soto in the top of the seventh and added insurance on a ground-rule double by Luis Garcia in the eighth to win the ballgame, again, by a final score of 4-2.
Braves reliever Richard Rodriguez was charged with the loss. Starting pitcher Touki Toussaint gave up two runs and a hit, walked four, and struck out three in just three innings. Austin Voth was picked up the win in relief for DC, and Kyle Finnegan got the save.
The Braves fell to 73-65 on the ’21 season, although they maintain a two and a half game lead in the NL East over the Philadelphia Phillies (who also lost on Wednesday night). The Nationals remain tied with the Miami Marlins for last place in the division with a record of 58-81. The Braves and the Nats will meet in their series finale tonight at 7:20 pm. The game will be broadcast on WLAQ 1410 AM and 96.9 FM; air time is 6:05 pm.