Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Adam Dunn hit two home runs and drove in five, as the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves, 8-3, in the opener of a three-game series.
The result further diminished the Braves' chances of claiming the NL East. They entered Friday six games behind first-place Philadelphia after getting swept by the Phillies. Philadelphia won its 11th straight game Friday and, with Atlanta's loss, now has a magic number of two to clinch the division.
The Braves have lost four in a row, and will need to fight to make the playoffs at all. They began Friday with a half-game lead in the wild card chase over San Diego, which hosts Cincinnati.