ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. homered twice, Dansby Swanson added a two-run shot and the Atlanta Braves beat the struggling Washington Nationals 7-1 on Friday in the first game of a doubleheader.
The defending World Series champion Nationals have lost seven consecutive games. The NL East-leading Braves have won five in a row.
Nationals fielder Juan Soto was scratched less than an hour before the game because of a sore left elbow. Another outfielder, Adam Eaton, was held out after leaving Thursday night’s game at Philadelphia with a jammed knee.
Acuña slammed his bat to the ground in apparent frustration after hitting what appeared to be a harmless flyball in the first inning.