Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr., center, high-fives teammates in the dugout after scoring in the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies, left, exits with head athletic trainer George Poulis, front right, with an injury in the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Washington Nationals interim manager Miguel Cairo, right, argues with home plate umpire Dan Iassogna, left, after being ejected by first base umpire Manuel González during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Atlanta Braves’ Drake Baldwin rounds third base before scoring in the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Atlanta Braves’ Ha-Seong Kim, center, high-fives teammates in the dugout after scoring in the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
ATLANTA (AP) — Chris Sale earned his first win against Washington, Ronald Acuña Jr. homered and the Atlanta Braves beat the Nationals 11-5 on Monday night.
Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr., center, high-fives teammates in the dugout after scoring in the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
ATLANTA (AP) — Chris Sale earned his first win against Washington, Ronald Acuña Jr. homered and the Atlanta Braves beat the Nationals 11-5 on Monday night.
The Braves continued their strong run over the final two weeks of the season with their ninth straight win, their longest run since 2023.
Rookie catcher Drake Baldwin went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and the NL Rookie of the Year has an RBI in each of his last six games. Acuña reached base five times with a home run, three walks and he was hit by a pitch.
Nationals starter MacKenzie Gore (5-15) gave up four runs on four hits in two innings.
Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies in his left hand. He fouled off a pitch in the third inning while batting. He stayed in for one more pitch before walking toward the dugout and being attended to by Atlanta’s training staff.
Key moment
Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim walked on a check swing to load the bases in the third inning. Home plate umpire Dan Iassogna appealed the check swing down to first base umpire Manny Gonzalez, who said Kim did not swing. Nationals interim manager Miguel Cairo was ejected after arguing the call. The Braves went on to score five runs in the inning.
Key stat
Sale entered Monday’s game with an 0-2 record in three games against Washington. There are now just three major league teams Sale has not yet beaten in his career: the Marlins (0-2 in three games), the Cardinals (0-0 in two games) and the Braves (0-2 in two games).
Up next
Nationals LHP Andrew Alvarez (1-1, 2.84 ERA) will face Braves RHP Hurston Waldrep (5-1, 3.04 ERA) on Tuesday.
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