Sports Headlines

Nationals Hold Off Braves Rally for 5-4 Win

Posted: 8:01 PM Jun 29, 2012
Reporter: Kim Allen

ATLANTA (AP) -- Michael Morse had four hits, including the go-ahead homer in the eighth inning after Washington had blown a four-run lead, and the Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 on Friday night.

Andrelton Simmons' two-run homer off Ross Detwiler capped Atlanta's four-run seventh inning which erased the Nationals' 4-0 lead.

Morse had a quick answer by hitting right-hander Chad Durbin's first pitch over the wall in right field leading off the eighth.

The Nationals, who swept a three-game series in Atlanta on May 25-27, are 5-1 against the Braves this season. NL East-leading Washington is 4 1/2 games ahead of Atlanta. The Nationals began the night 3 1/2 games ahead of the Mets.

Jesus Flores homered and Ian Desmond had a two-run single for Washington.