Kelly's 3 RBI's and Nats' 4 Errors Give Braves 8-4 Win

The Braves got a much-needed win Monday night as they took the series opener over the struggling Nationals 8-4. Eric Stults earned his first victory in a Braves uniform, going 6.1 innings and allowing only two earned runs in his quality start.

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Kelly Johnson had a great day at the plate, going 3-4 with 3 RBI’s and a two-run blast off Doug Fister in the bottom of the sixth. Atlanta has gotten a lot of productivity from their left fielders these last few games. Markakis has played great baseball so far as the Braves new right fielder. Center field stills needs work as Eric Young, Jr. has gotten off to a slow start in 2015 and Cameron Maybin is hitting for power, not average for the Braves.

Washington continues to have problems defensively, committing four errors in this ball game. They now have 22 errors in only 19 games played. This is a bad sign for a team with serious playoff expectations. SP Doug Fister threw two pickoffs away and Ian Desmond still has throwing issues from shortstop.

Tensions were high in this game between rivals. Freddie Freeman and Jonny Gomes both receive ejections in this game. A controversial play at third on an Andrelton Simmons slide, injuring former Brave Yunel Escobar got the Nationals fired up and Simmons was thrown behind in his next at bat.

While Cody Martin had a tough time recording outs tonight in one inning’s work, Luis Avilan pitched a perfect ninth to end the ball game. Avilan looks much more confident this year than last.

Max Scherzer will miss his start tomorrow and Tanner Roark might take the mound for a 7-13 Washington Nationals team. I’m still shocked that the Nats have been this bad to start the 2015 season. Julio Teheran gets the start for the Braves tomorrow night. First pitch is at 7:10 ET.

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Kelly’s 3 RBI’s and Nats’ 4 Errors Give Braves 8-4 Win

By John Buhler | Apr 27, 2015