The Washington Nationals look to rebound against the Atlanta Braves as they continue their four-game series on Tuesday. Foster Griffin will take the mound for the Nats, trying to build on his already strong start to the season against the reliable Reynaldo López.

The Washington Nationals led early, but a single rough inning flipped the entire game in a 9–4 loss to the Atlanta Braves. Washington struck first in the opening frame, cashing in for two runs on a Jacob Young single after great at-bats loaded the bases. After Atlanta tied it on a two-run homer from Matt Olson, Daylen Lile briefly gave the Nationals the lead back with a solo shot (that Cionel Pérez caught in his hat), keeping momentum on their side for the early-middle innings.

That momentum disappeared in the sixth. The Braves mashed for five runs in the inning, capitalizing on big mistakes and just solid hits, including a two-run double from Drake Baldwin and RBI knocks from Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II, to turn a one-run game into a deficit they never let go of. Atlanta added insurance late, while Washington managed just three hits total. Bryce Elder worked into the seventh with six strikeouts to earn the win, while Jake Irvin took the loss despite a relatively solid outing before the sixth unraveled.

On Deck…

Game three of this set will come on Wednesday, a game in which Zack Littell will take the bump for the Nationals against another veteran in Martín Pérez. That matchup will begin at 6:45 P.M.

In the hole…

Thursday marks the series finale, as Cade Cavalli will start the 1:05 matinee against an elite veteran in Chris Sale. The 37 year-old lefty has been in the league for 16 years now, and enters this start with a 2.79 ERA on the season.