Thomas hits 3-run homer, leading to Nationals' 7-2 win over Braves

ATLANTA – In a high-stakes matchup, the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 7-2, led by Lane Thomas's explosive performance and MacKenzie Gore's dominant pitching.

The game started with Spencer Schwellenbach making his major league debut for the Braves. Schwellenbach (0-1), who had never pitched above Double-A, lasted five innings, giving up three runs on five hits with five strikeouts, one walk, and a hit batter. After a leadoff double in the fifth, Schwellenbach hit Jacob Young in the head with a fastball when the No. 9 hitter squared to bunt. Young was down for a minute but stayed in the game.

Two batters later, Thomas homered to give Washington a 3-1 lead. In the next inning, Young laced a two-out, two-run single to push the lead to 5-2. Kelbert Ruiz capped the Nationals’ scoring with a two-run single in the ninth that a sliding Michael Harris could not quite come up with.

Gore (4-4) picked up the win for the Nats, who have taken two of the first three games in the four-game series. Gore pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on six hits. He had 10 strikeouts and no walks. Thomas was 3 for 4 with three RBI and two steals and two runs, and Young was 1 for 2 with two RBI. Ruiz was 2 for 5 with two RBI, and Joey Gallo had two hits. The Nationals tied a season-high with five stolen bases. Dylan Floro, Robert Garcia, Hunter Henry, and Jordan Weems did not allow a run out of the bullpen over 3 2/3 innings. Nationals pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts.

ANOTHER ONE.

The Braves fought back with a run in the sixth inning, but the Nationals' bullpen shut them down for the rest of the game. Dylan Floro, Robert Garcia, Hunter Henry, and Jordan Weems combined for 3 2/3 scoreless innings, securing the victory for Washington. Thomas was undoubtedly the star of the game, going 3-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and two stolen bases. Gore's masterful pitching and the Nationals' solid bullpen performance sealed the win, setting the stage for an exciting final game of the series.

UP NEXT…

Braves RHP Reynaldo López (2-2, 1.75) was set to face Nationals RHP Trevor Williams (4-0, 2.29) on Thursday night in the final game of the four-game series.

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