WASHINGTON -- Atlanta struggled against fill-in starter Miguel Batista, who tossed five shutout innings in the Nationals' 3-0 victory over the Braves on Tuesday night.

The Braves didn't get to face Stephen Strasburg after the Nationals scratched the phenom moments before first pitch because he had trouble loosening up.

Braves have seen their NL East lead shrink to 3 1/2 games over the Phillies, and 6 1/2 over the Mets. The Phils beat the Diamondbacks, 9-5, Tuesday, and the Mets dropped the Cardinals, 8-2.

Atlanta managed only three singles against Batista (1-2), a 39-year-old journeyman making his first start of the season. The right-hander walked one and struck out six while handing the Braves their fourth loss in six games. It was the ninth time this season Atlanta has been shut out.

Costly Braves errors in the first two innings helped the Nationals to a 3-0 lead.

In the first, Nyjer Morgan led off with a single to center, stole second and then swiped third, scoring when catcher Brian McCann's throw sailed into left field.

Both Washington runs in a two-run second were unearned off Atlanta starter Tommy Hanson. Roger Bernadina hit a leadoff single and Ivan Rodriguez followed with a bouncer to third, but third baseman Chipper Jones threw wildly to second, putting runners at second and third. Ian Desmond followed with a two-run single to center.

Despite a strong effort, Hanson (8-7) stretched his winless streak to four starts and the right-hander is 1-4 over his past seven outings. He allowed three runs, one earned, on six hits over six innings.

Box Score

Mired in a 6-for-63 slump that has seen his batting average and confidence plummet, center fielder Nate McLouth was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett by the Braves on Tuesday.

McLouth was informed of the move around 4 p.m. Tuesday in a meeting with manager Bobby Cox and general manager Frank Wren before the opener of a three-game series against the Washington Nationals.

To replace McLouth on the 25-man roster, the Braves activated outfielder Brent Clevlen from the 15-day disabled list. Clevlen was placed on the DL May 24 with a sprained right big toe and has missed 54 games. Clevlen hit .250 (1-for-4) in three games with Atlanta earlier this season.

With McLouth gone, Melky Cabrera will see the bulk of the time in center field, Cox said, adding that there is no shortage of possible options for the position. Omar Infante, Clevlen and Heyward could also play center field. The Braves also could summon Gregor Blanco, who was sent to Triple-A when McLouth was activated from the disabled list, but Blanco must stay with Gwinnett for 10 days, so he could only be in the mix when eligible on Saturday.
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Source: MLB.com

Brent Clevlen
- Photo2 by Tim Evearitt