Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - Wilson Ramos drove in the winning run in the eighth inning to lead the Washington Nationals to a 5-4 win over the Atlanta Braves to finish off a three-game sweep.
Ramos and Ryan Zimmerman each drove in two runs while Bryce Harper also had an RBI for the Nationals, who have won seven of their last eight. Jordan Zimmermann gave up three runs on eight hits over six innings, while Sammy Solis (1-0) got the win for a scoreless inning of relief.
"I just stay with the same plan I always use," said Zimmermann. "I've found that if you panic and try changing your approach, it usually backfires on you so I've just been staying the course."
Freddie Freeman was 2-for-4 with two runs scored for the Braves, who have dropped four of their last six. Starter Alex Wood went 3-for-3 with an RBI and gave up three runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings. Cody Martin (1-2) was handed the loss.
"In a caliber of the club we were up against this weekend we knew it was going to be tough," said Wood.
In the eighth, Ian Desmond singled to lead off and Jayson Werth walked. After Harper popped out, Zimmerman hit a single to center to tie the game, and Ramos followed with a double to right for a 5-4 lead.
Drew Storen worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his ninth save of the season.
Washington scored three runs in the first inning to grab the lead. Yunel Escobar singled to leadoff and moved to second on a sac bunt from Desmond. After Werth struck out, Harper hit an RBI double and he scored when Zimmerman followed with a double. Ramos then punched a single to right for a 3-0 lead.
Atlanta answered in the second to make it a one-run game off RBI singles from Cameron Maybin and Wood.
In the third, the Braves tied the game on an RBI single from Jace Peterson, and the score stayed that way until the seventh.
Freeman led off with a single and Jonny Gomes followed with a long fly ball to right that Harper lost in the sun, leaving runners at the corners. Alberto Callaspo then dropped a flair just out of the infield to right for a 4-3 lead.
Dan Uggla made a beautiful diving grab of a Peterson liner and doubled-up Gomes, and Christian Bethancourt grounded out to end the frame.
Game Notes
Atlanta plays three in Cincinnati starting on Monday ... Washington starts a three-game set in Arizona on Monday ... Atlanta stranded 10 after going 4- for-13 with runners in scoring position ... Washington was 4-for-8 with RISP and left four on base.
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