Trevor Williams continued the visiting Washington Nationals’ streak of stellar starting pitching by throwing 5 2/3 strong innings in a 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, their third win of the four-game set between the National League East rivals.
Williams (5-0) allowed one run on four hits, two walks and four strikeouts. Williams joined Stephen Strasburg (8-0) as the only two Nationals starters to avoid a loss through their first 11 starts of a season. Strasburg started 17 games before taking a loss in 2016.
Over the past eight games, Washington starters have combined to pitch to a 2.27 ERA, allowing 12 earned runs in 47 2/3 innings, and have 56 strikeouts and seven walks.
The Washington bullpen covered the rest of the game. Dylan Floro (one inning), Robert Garcia (1/3 inning), Hunter Harvey (one inning) and Kyle Finnegan (one inning) each had scoreless outings. Finnegan pitched around a leadoff walk and earned his 15th save.
Atlanta starter Ray Kerr (1-2) worked 3 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. Jesse Chavez (2 1/3 innings), Joe Jimenez (one inning), and Jimmy Herget (two innings) did not allow a run in the final 5 1/3 innings.
The Nationals scored three times in the third inning. Joey Meneses delivered a two-out, two-run double to right field. He came around to score on a double by Jesse Winker.
The Braves cut the lead to 3-1 with a run in the bottom of the third. Jarred Kelenic tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly from Michael Harris II.
Atlanta’s Marcel Ozuna went 2-for-4 with a double and has reached base safely in his past 23 games. Ozzie Albies went 2-for-3 with a walk in the loss.
Nick Senzel, Jacob Young and Meneses each had two hits in the win.
The Braves open a three-game homestand on Friday against the Oakland A’s. The Nationals begin a three-game series on Friday in Cleveland.
–Field Level Media