ATLANTA — A.J. Pierzynski hit two home runs and rookie Matt Wisler threw seven strong innings as the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 2-1 on Tuesday night for just their fourth win in 17 tries against the Nats.
Wisler (7-8) picked up the victory, giving up one run while striking out four and walking two.
Rookie Arodys Vizcaino recorded his eighth save in nine chances. With runners on first and second and no outs in the ninth, Ian Desmond bunted into a 2-5-4 double play. Vizcaino then struck out Matt den Dekker to end it.
Tanner Roark (4-7), who rejoined the Nationals’ rotation in September, took the loss. He handled everyone in the Braves’ lineup except Pierzynski, who was 3 for 3, giving up just five hits and two runs in 6 2-3 innings. He struck out four, walked one and hit a batter.
Pierzynski’s second home run came while leading off the seventh and broke a 1-1 tie as he lifted a 3-2 pitch into the right-center field seats. He also hit a solo shot to right field in the fourth. It was just the third multihomer game by a Brave this season – Atlanta is last in the league in home runs.