After winning Friday night's game with the Washington Nationals on a walk-off throwing error. the Atlanta Braves found another ugly way to win Saturday afternoon. Washington reliever Ryan Mattheu hit rookie Andrelton Simmons in the bottom of the eighth to score Jeff Baker and give the Braves a 5-4 win.
Braves starter Tommy Hanson didn't come out sharp: Adam LaRoche hit a two-run shot in the first inning to give the Nats a 2-0 lead, then in the second Hanson committed a throwing error on an Edwin Jackson bunt that let two more Washington baserunners score. Hanson was relieved after five innings; he struck out seven and allowed four hits and a walk.
Dan Uggla drove in Freddie Freeman with a double off Jackson in the bottom of the second to make the score 4-1 Washington. Freeman hit a solo home run in the fourth, and Jason Heyward homered in the sixth with Martin Prado on board to tie the game.
Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth for his 36th save of 2012. Eric O'Flaherty pitched a scoreless eighth and was credited with the win.
The Braves win reduced the Nationals' lead in the NL East to 6 1/2 games. The Braves have 16 games left to play, the Nats 18.
Stick with this StoryStream for more updates on this Braves vs. Nationals series. For more on the Braves, head over to Talking Chop. For more on the Nationals, please visit Federal Baseball.