WASHINGTON -- The Nationals are a step closer to clinching a division title for the second time in three years. Doug Fister broke a personal three-game losing streak and helped the Nationals down the Braves, 2-1, at Nationals Park on Monday night.The Nationals increased their lead in the National League East race to eight games and reduced their magic number to 12. 
Fister (13-6) pitched seven shutout innings, allowed two hits, struck out three batters and walked three others. The only time the Braves had runners in scoring position against Fister was in the top of the seventh.The Braves had runners on first and second with two outs, and it looked like manager Matt Williams wanted to take Fister out of the game. But it appeared Fister convinced Williams to allow him to pitch to Andrelton Simmons, and the Nats' righty was able to induce Simmons to ground into a fielder's choice to end the threat.Braves left-hander Mike Minor was solid himself, allowing two runs in six-plus innings. Washington scored the first run in the first frame, when Ian Desmond singled to right field, scoring Anthony Rendon.Minor was out of the game in the seventh inning when the Nationals scored their second run. With the bases loaded, one out and right-hander David Hale on the mound, Rendon hit into a fielder's choice, but pinch-runner Jeff Kobernus scored on the play.Atlanta made it interesting in the eighth, with reliever Tyler Clippard on the mound for Washington. With one out, pinch-hitter Ryan Doumit doubled into the right-field corner, and Jason Heyward followed with a walk. After he struck out Ramiro Pena, Clippard was taken out of the game in favor of Matt Thornton, who allowed an RBI single to Freddie Freeman to make it a one-run game.Craig Stammen entered the game and was able to get Justin Upton to pop up to first baseman Adam LaRoche to end the threat.Drew Storen pitched the ninth inning and saved his third game of the season.Bill Ladson / MLB.com
Fister (13-6) pitched seven shutout innings, allowed two hits, struck out three batters and walked three others. The only time the Braves had runners in scoring position against Fister was in the top of the seventh.The Braves had runners on first and second with two outs, and it looked like manager Matt Williams wanted to take Fister out of the game. But it appeared Fister convinced Williams to allow him to pitch to Andrelton Simmons, and the Nats' righty was able to induce Simmons to ground into a fielder's choice to end the threat.Braves left-hander Mike Minor was solid himself, allowing two runs in six-plus innings. Washington scored the first run in the first frame, when Ian Desmond singled to right field, scoring Anthony Rendon.Minor was out of the game in the seventh inning when the Nationals scored their second run. With the bases loaded, one out and right-hander David Hale on the mound, Rendon hit into a fielder's choice, but pinch-runner Jeff Kobernus scored on the play.Atlanta made it interesting in the eighth, with reliever Tyler Clippard on the mound for Washington. With one out, pinch-hitter Ryan Doumit doubled into the right-field corner, and Jason Heyward followed with a walk. After he struck out Ramiro Pena, Clippard was taken out of the game in favor of Matt Thornton, who allowed an RBI single to Freddie Freeman to make it a one-run game.Craig Stammen entered the game and was able to get Justin Upton to pop up to first baseman Adam LaRoche to end the threat.Drew Storen pitched the ninth inning and saved his third game of the season.Bill Ladson / MLB.com
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