Braves Vs. Nationals Final: Nationals Wax Braves 9-3

For the second night in a row the Washington Nationals used the longball and for the second night in a row the Nationals defeated the Atlanta Braves by the score of 9-3. Three different Nationals players hit a home run, one of them being a grand slam.

In the fourth inning the red hot Rick Ankiel with the bases loaded demolished a pitch from Atlanta's Derek Lowe and put it over the wall for his first grand slam since 2007. Ankiel's third home run in two days put the Nationals up 6-3. In the next inning shortstop Ian Desmond continued the barrage by hitting his fourth home run of the season, a two-run bomb. Then in the bottom of the sixth first baseman Michael Morse took Cristhian Martinez long for a solo shot, his 18th of the season.

Starter John Lannan went six innings giving up three runs on nine hits. He walked one and recorded eight strikeouts. It was yet another good pitching performance in a string of great performances Lannan has put together over the last two months. Lannan has won six of his last eight decisions to move to 8-7 on the season.

The Nationals move to 53-56 on the season.

Braves Vs. Nationals Score: Rick Ankiel Stops Chop With Grand Slam, Nationals Lead 6-3

Washington Nationals outfielder Rick Ankiel is becoming very efficient at stopping the infamous Atlanta Braves celebratory "chop." On Monday night he hit two home runs against the team he grew up watching. On Tuesday night he went even bigger to help the Nationals take a 6-3.

Atlanta fans were feeling good about their chop and a fourth inning 3-1 lead, but Ankiel put their arms down as he raised a bottom of the fourth inning grand slam off Braves pitcher Derek Lowe to put the Nationals in a 6-3 lead. Outfielder Jonny Gomes scored earlier in the inning off pitcher John Lannan fielder's choice. It was Ankiel's first grand slam since August 31, 2007. The Nationals center fielder is hot. It is his third homerun in two days.

Lannan had 5 career RBI coming into this season, but has recorded 5 RBI in his last 4 starts. Lannan has only given up three runs on seven hits.

Braves Vs. Nationals: Nationals Seek To Continue Stifling Braves

Pitcher John Lannan takes the mound against the Braves at 7:05 P.M. Lannan has the second most wins against Atlanta since July 2007 only behind pitcher Cole Hamels.