Atlanta Braves’ B.J. Upton (2), Reed Johnson (7), and Andrelton Simmons (19) celebrate after playing the Washington Nationals in a baseball game, Sunday, June 2, 2013, in Atlanta. Atlanta won 6-3.ATLANTA – Fredi Gonzalez doesn’t want to discuss the NL East standings.
In fact, one mention of the Braves’ big lead in the division made Atlanta’s manager groan and complain “I don’t even want to talk about that. It’s June 2.”
Ramiro Pena and B.J. Upton hit home runs, Paul Maholm won his third straight decision and Atlanta beat the Washington Nationals 6-3 on Sunday to stretch their lead in the NL East.
The Braves won two of three from the Nationals and lead Washington by 6.5 games – the biggest advantage for any first-place team in the majors. Atlanta is 15-6 against NL East teams, including 7-3 against the Nationals.
“It’s big,” said Upton of winning the series against the Nationals. “We know they’re a team that’s going to be around all year. They have a good ballclub. It’s good to win games against a team like that.”