The Braves lost to the Nationals Wednesday, 4-2 continuing their untimely skid that has allowed the Phillies to seize first place and dropped the dwindling lead in the Wild Card race to a mere game. The Nationals only runs came courtesy a Justin Maxwell grand slam in the second inning. Minor was otherwise solid, and that was perhaps the only mistake he made in a 5 inning performance as he struck out six while allowing only four hits.
The Braves mustered only two runs, despite getting ten hits and 3 walks, putting baserunners on in every inning aside from the 9th. Unfortunately, the big hit to bust the game open for them never came, and they stranded seven runners while making some unfortunate outs in the basepath. One came when Jason Heyward was struck by a Martin Prado single in the third, ruling him out, while another was Prado himself attempting to advance to second a throw home, before being easily cut down with the throw back to second.
Talking Chop says it perfectly:
Unbelievable: Nats 4, Braves 2
Go commiserate there.