Stephen Strasburg (6-1) struck out nine in seven innings during the Washington Nationals' 2-0 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday at Nationals Park. Strasburg gave up just four hits and no walks on 90 pitches before he was relieved by Sean Burnett. Washington improved to 30-21 with the win, and remain one game ahead of the New York Mets atop the NL East.
Brandon Beachy (5-4) was solid on mound for the Braves, if not quite up to Strasburg's standard. He gave up both earned runs off three hits and four walks while striking out six in 6 1/3 innings of work. He gave up a solo home run to Jesus Flores in the fifth inning, however, for what would prove to be the game-winning run. Xavier Nady added to the Nats' lead with a double in the seventh inning to score Danny Espinosa.
Flores' homer was just his second on the year. He was walked in his only other appearance at the plate. Bryce Harper was walked twice and had a single to left field.
Game 3 of the series will be played at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, and will pit Gio Gonzalez (7-1) against the Braves' Daniel Bard (5-5) at the mound.
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