Nationals beat Braves 4-2 close in on NL East title

photo Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) delivers in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday, Sept. 15, 2014, in Atlanta.
Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog

ATLANTA - Stephen Strasburg threw seven scoreless innings to end a long run of frustration against Atlanta, and the Nationals beat the struggling Braves 4-2 on Monday night to move to the verge of the NL East title.

The Nationals can clinch the division by beating the defending champion Braves on Tuesday night.

Strasburg (12-11) ended a streak of eight winless starts against Atlanta since 2012. He had been 0-3 with a 7.17 ERA against the Braves this season, including a 6-2 loss at Washington last Wednesday.

Wilson Ramos hit his 11th homer in the fifth. The Nationals led 4-0 before the Braves scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth.

The Braves (75-75) have lost four straight to fall to .500 for the first time since they were 1-1. They trail Pittsburgh for the second NL wild-card spot.

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