ATLANTA — Mike Yastrzemski homered and drove in two runs as the Atlanta Braves beat the slumping Washington Nationals 4-2 on Sunday at Truist Park, completing a sweep of the four-game series between National League East teams.
The Braves (67-45) have won five straight games and sit atop the standings with an eight-game lead over the second-place Philadelphia Phillies (59-53), the division’s two-time reigning champions.
The Nationals have lost five straight, including being swept in a four-game series for the first time this season and the first time ever in Atlanta. Washington (55-58) is fourth in the division, 12 1/2 games out of first place, three games behind the third-place Miami Marlins (58-55) and ahead of only the New York Mets (47-66).
Matt Olson also homered for the Braves, who completed their first four-game sweep since last Sept. 15-17 at Washington.
Atlanta recalled JR Ritchie from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Sunday’s game on the mound after fellow right-hander Reynaldo López was placed on the 15-day injured list with inflammation in his left knee.
The move with López, which is retroactive to Thursday, was expected after he was scratched before Saturday night’s scheduled start against the Nationals. López was warming up in the bullpen when he experienced discomfort in the knee.
Fill-in starter Martín Pérez held Washington hitless until the seventh inning of the Braves’ 8-3 win.
In the series finale, Ritchie issued a walk and hit Andrés Chapparo on his helmet with a bases-loaded pitch to force in a run in Washington’s two-run fourth. Chapparo completed the inning before he was replaced by Brady House, who made his first MLB career appearance at first base. James Wood’s sacrifice fly also drove in a run.
Dylan Dodd (3-1) was credited with the win after he threw a scoreless fifth inning in relief of Ritchie. Raisel Iglesias recorded the final three outs for his 24th save of the season.
Washington right-hander Cade Cavalli gave up a double to Austin Riley in the fifth. Jim Jarvis followed with a grounder that shortstop CJ Abrams fielded before making a high throw that sailed by House for an error, allowing Riley to give Atlanta a 3-2 lead.
Cavalli (8-5) allowed three runs (two earned), six hits and a walk while striking out three batters in six innings.
The Braves are off Monday before continuing their homestand with a three-game series against Miami that begins Tuesday.
The Marlins had not announced their starter for the series opener as of Sunday evening, but Atlanta left-hander Chris Sale (12-6, 2.08 ERA) is expected to get the ball for the hosts. The 10-time MLB All-Star has won his past three starts and is unbeaten in his past four decisions.