WASHINGTON – Daniel Murphy hit a two-run homer and drove in four runs, rookie Reynaldo Lopez pitched seven innings for his first major league win and the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 7-6 on Saturday night.
Trea Turner had three hits, including a homer and one of Washington’s three triples. Ben Revere had the other two and drove in a run for the NL East leaders.
The Nationals played their fifth straight game without injured right fielder Bryce Harper and first without former closer Jonathan Papelbon, who was released before the game to make room on the roster for Lopez (1-1). The right-handed Lopez allowed one run and five hits.
Trailing 7-1 entering the eighth, Atlanta scored five runs over the final two innings against the bullpen, including four in the ninth. Mark Melancon came on after the Braves scored twice in the ninth and recorded the final three outs for his 33rd save.
Erick Aybar’s two-run double against Melancon pulled the Braves within one, but he was thrown out trying to reach third with zero outs. The Braves have lost three of four.