Two of the Washington Nationals’ four hits on Thursday afternoon in Atlanta came in the top of the ninth inning, when they finally pushed a run across the plate in the 5-1 loss. Before that they connected for just two hits, one off Braves’ starter Tucker Donaldson and one off of the Braves’ bullpen. Jordy Mercer had two of the Nationals’ four hits, and scored their only run.
“The first three innings we were chasing a lot, you know. Not getting the ball in the zone and just putting bad pitches in play,” manager Davey Martinez told reporters after the game.