ATLANTA - Rookie Williams Perez threw six innings and the Atlanta Braves' bullpen did the rest as they recorded a rare shutout in beating the Washington Nationals 2-0 on Wednesday night.
A.J. Pierzynski had an RBI single in the first inning one night after hitting two home runs, and Michael Bourn singled home the Braves' other run in the second.
Rookie Arodys Vizcaino earned his 10th save - and second in two nights - with a perfect ninth. This was theBraves' first shutout since beating the Mets 1-0 on June 21. Edwin Jackson and Peter Moylan pitched perfect innings out of the bullpen.
Jordan Zimmermann (13-10), a fixture in the Nationals' rotation since 2011, took the loss in what will likely be his final appearance for the team that drafted him in 2007. Zimmermann, a free agent at the end of the season, gave up two runs and six hits in six innings in his career-high 33rd start.
Perez (7-6), who is auditioning for a spot in an uncertain rotation for the Braves in 2016, worked his way out of trouble all game. The Nationals had runners in scoring position in four of the six innings Perez was on the mound, but he was able to keep them off the scoreboard each time. The Braves turned two double plays for Perez, giving the team a MLB-best 181 for the season. Perez allowed six hits and three walks while winning his third consecutive decision.
Pierzynski singled home Nick Markakis with a bloop to left field in the first inning, and Bourn drove in Todd Cunningham in the second and that accounted for the Braves' offense.
Bryce Harper, who is battling for the National League batting title, went 0 for 4 and saw his average drop to .331. He entered the game hitting .334 while Miami's Dee Gordon was at .332.
The Braves have won five straight at Turner Field - scoring two runs in each of the wins - just weeks after setting a franchise record with 12 consecutive home losses.