The top four hitters in the Braves' lineup, including Chipper Jones and Dan Uggla, went a combined 0 for 16 with five strikeouts Sunday, their pitchers allowed two homers, and Atlanta's road to a playoff berth took another detour with a 3-0 loss to the Washington Nationals.
Atlanta has dropped 10 of its past 15 games and began the day
with a two-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL wild-card standings. The Braves close the regular season with a three-game home series starting Monday against NL East champion Philadelphia.
Wilson Ramos homered off Braves starter Mike Minor (5-3) in the
fourth, and Michael Morse hit the 29th of his breakout season -- a two-run shot -- off reliever Cristhian Martinez in the seventh.
Ross Detwiler (4-5) went six innings for Washington.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APNP 09-25-11 1629EDT