Atlanta Braves’ Freddie Freeman, right, is congratulated at home plate by Tommy La Stella after Freeman’s two-run homer against the Washington Nationals during their game Friday, Aug. 8, 2014, in Atlanta.ATLANTA – An eight-game losing streak was way too long for Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez.
“It was nice to shake hands,” Gonzalez said. “It seems it’s been an eternity.”
Justin Upton and Freddie Freeman hit two of Atlanta’s four homers off Stephen Strasburg, and the Braves snapped their long skid with a 7-6 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday night.
Rain delayed the game by 1 hour, 11 minutes in the middle of the sixth inning.
Atlanta, which nearly blew a 7-0 lead, moved within 3½ games of NL East-leading Washington. The Nationals, who had won two straight and four of six, have lost 21 of 30 against the Braves.