ATLANTA (AP) ��� Nick Markakis and Anthony Recker each drove in two runs, Josh Collmenter won as an emergency starter and the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 7-3 on Saturday.
Washington began the day needing a combination of six Nationals victories or six New York Mets losses to clinch its third NL East title in five years.
Collmenter (2-0), acquired Wednesday from the Chicago Cubs, struck out eight in five innings and allowed two runs, four hits and three walks. He was Arizona's opening-day starter last year and was making his first big league start on July 7, 2015 for Arizona.
Atlanta needed a starter because Mike Foltynewicz has a bruised left calf and Williams Perez has an elbow impingement.
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