ATLANTA (AP) -- Justin Upton and Freddie Freeman hit two of Atlanta's four homers off Stephen Strasburg, and the Atlanta Braves snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 7-6 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday night.Rain delayed the game by 1 hour, 11 minutes in the middle of the sixth inning.Atlanta, which nearly blew a 7-0 lead, moved within 3 1/2 games of NL East-leading Washington. The Nationals, who had won two straight and four of six, have lost 21 of 30 against the Braves. 
Strasburg (8-10) gave up two more homers than his previous career high. He allowed seven runs, seven hits and two walks with nine strikeouts in five innings, dropping to 1-3 with a 6.99 ERA in seven starts at Turner Field.Ervin Santana (11-6) held the Nationals scoreless until the sixth, when Asdrubal Cabrera had an RBI single and Anthony Rendon hit his 15th homer to make it 7-4.Santana, who allowed four runs, four hits and two walks, struck out four in six innings and won his fourth straight decision.Wilson Ramos' fifth homer and Cabrera's sacrifice fly cut Atlanta's lead to 7-6 off reliever Anthony Varvaro in the seventh.Craig Kimbrel earned his 33rd save in 37 chances by striking out Ramos, retiring Kevin Frandsen on a comebacker, and fanning pinch-hitter Danny Espinosa.The Braves went up 2-0 in the first on Justin Upton's 20th homer, and they made it 6-0 in the second on B.J. Upton's eighth shot and Freeman's 16th.Tommy La Stella put Atlanta ahead 7-0 in the fifth with his first career home run.Washington's Denard Span went 3 for 4 with a run scored and reached base safely for the 34th straight game.
Strasburg (8-10) gave up two more homers than his previous career high. He allowed seven runs, seven hits and two walks with nine strikeouts in five innings, dropping to 1-3 with a 6.99 ERA in seven starts at Turner Field.Ervin Santana (11-6) held the Nationals scoreless until the sixth, when Asdrubal Cabrera had an RBI single and Anthony Rendon hit his 15th homer to make it 7-4.Santana, who allowed four runs, four hits and two walks, struck out four in six innings and won his fourth straight decision.Wilson Ramos' fifth homer and Cabrera's sacrifice fly cut Atlanta's lead to 7-6 off reliever Anthony Varvaro in the seventh.Craig Kimbrel earned his 33rd save in 37 chances by striking out Ramos, retiring Kevin Frandsen on a comebacker, and fanning pinch-hitter Danny Espinosa.The Braves went up 2-0 in the first on Justin Upton's 20th homer, and they made it 6-0 in the second on B.J. Upton's eighth shot and Freeman's 16th.Tommy La Stella put Atlanta ahead 7-0 in the fifth with his first career home run.Washington's Denard Span went 3 for 4 with a run scored and reached base safely for the 34th straight game.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
