WASHINGTON – Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox earned his 2,500th win as a major league manager Saturday.
The Braves got five effective innings from starting pitcher Derek Lowe and a three-run homer from Alex Gonzalez in a crucial 5-0 victory over the Washington Nationals.
The Braves snapped a four-game losing streak that put them a half-game behind San Diego in the National League wild-card race. San Diego hosted Cincinnati later Saturday.
The 69-year-old Cox, set to retire at the end of the season, became the fourth big-league manager to reach the milestone. He is seeking his 16th postseason appearance.
Lowe (15-12) allowed five hits, walked one and struck out four, improving to 4-0 with a 1.08 ERA in his last four starts. The right-hander has 13 scoreless innings in two games against the Nationals during his winning streak.
Lowe wiggled out of a jam in his final inning after his defense put him in a tough spot. With two out, Ian Desmond grounded to Derrek Lee at first, but the ball squirted under his glove. Adam Dunn flied to center, and Nate McLouth dropped the ball for another error. But Lowe got Michael Morse to bounce out to end the inning.
The Braves scored four times in the sixth to take a 5-0 lead. They had just seven runs during their losing streak.
Lee doubled in Martin Prado with one out, and McLouth followed with an infield single. Gonzalez then hit a drive to left for his 23rd homer.
Yunesky Maya (0-3) allowed five runs, four earned, and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. The Cuban defector struck out one and walked three in his fourth major league start.
The Nationals had won a season-high four straight games.
Saturday morning, Cox relaxed in the visitors’ dugout, talking about the last night he might spend on a major league road trip. He was going to dinner with a friend and admitted he was a little embarrassed by all the attention his retirement has attracted.
Peter Moylan, Jonny Venters, Craig Kimbrel and Billy Wagner each pitched a scoreless inning for Atlanta, completing a six-hitter.