The Braves scoured the pitching landscape last week to come up with Josh Collmenter when they needed an emergency starter, and their efforts paid off Saturday when he pitched as if determined to prove he still belongs in the big leagues.
Collmenter limited the Nationals to two runs and four hits in five innings and matched a career high with eight strikeouts, helping the Braves to a 7-3 win that was just their third in 18 games against the Nationals this season.
Ender Inciarte had three hits and a walk and scored three runs, and Nick Markakis and Anthony Recker added two hits and two RBIs apiece for the Braves, who snapped a three-game losing streak and won for the third time in 11 games.