Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Minor throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Friday, June 20, 2014, in Washington.WASHINGTON – The Atlanta Braves survived Craig Kimbrel’s two-out blown save in the ninth inning by scoring twice in the 13th, topping the Washington Nationals 6-4 Friday night to flip-flop the standings atop the NL East.
Evan Gattis, who earlier extended his hitting streak to 19 games, singled in the go-ahead run off Jerry Blevins (2-3). Andrelton Simmons followed with an RBI groundout that might have been an inning-ending double play had second baseman Danny Espinosa not bobbled the ball.
The win moved the Braves back into first place by one-half game and maintained their mastery over their division rivals. Atlanta was struggling before arriving in D.C. this week, but the club is 20-7 vs. Washington since the start of last season, including the first two of this four-game set.
Ryan Buchter (1-0) pitched the 12th to get the win in his major league debut, and Jordan Walden worked the 13th for his second save.
Anthony Rendon tied the game with a two-run shot when the Nationals were down to their last out. He got every bit of a 98 mph fastball from Kimbrel, the first homer allowed by the Braves closer this season.