Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Mike Minor battled through five innings on the
mound in the excessive Georgia heat as the Atlanta Braves edged the Washington
Nationals, 7-5, in the middle test of a three-game series at Turner Field.
Minor (4-6) allowed four runs on five hits and walked five with two strikeouts
to claim the win. Kris Medlen, Chad Durbin and Eric O'Flaherty navigated
through the next three frames before Craig Kimbrel worked a perfect ninth to
notch his 23rd save of the season.
Andrelton Simmons went 3-for-4 and was one of seven Braves to pick up an RBI
in the victory, which snapped a brief two-game skid. Michael Bourn added a
double, two runs scored and three walks for Atlanta.
Adam LaRoche clubbed an RBI double and scored twice, and Ryan Zimmerman added
an RBI groundout for the Nats, who had won three of four coming in. Michael
Morse added two hits in defeat.
The oppressive heat did claim one victim on Saturday, as Washington starter
Stephen Strasburg (9-3) lasted just three innings due to heat exhaustion. He
struggled with his command -- walking four -- while allowing three runs on two
hits and striking out four.
The Sports Network