WASHINGTON -- The Braves lost to the Nationals, 5-3, Thursday afternoon in Washington.
Matt Diaz continued his success at the plate -- hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning -- but it wasn't enough.
Right-hander Derek Lowe earned the loss after allowing four runs on five hits in five innings. His performance, coupled with a lack of run support, lead to the loss.
Lowe enabled the Nationals to score the game's initial run in the second inning. He gave up a leadoff ground-rule double to center field to former Chattanooga Lookout (2001) Adam Dunn. After a groundout moved Dunn to third base, Lowe gave up an RBI groundout to Michael Morse.
In the very next at-bat, Lowe (10-9) allowed a solo home run by Ian Desmond to center to put the Braves down, 2-0.
Although down early, Atlanta would not back down.
In the fourth inning with one out, Troy Glaus began with a walk. Diaz followed with a two-run home run to left field to tie the game at two.
Lowe, though, put the Braves behind again in the fourth inning. After hitting Morse with one out, Ian Desmond doubled to center field to put runners on second and third base. Lowe then gave up a two-run single to Wil Nieves to make it 4-2 Nationals just before the 92-minute rain delay.
Adam Dunn added a solo homer off Takashi Saito in the eighth inning to make it 5-3.
Atlanta could not mount a rally as Matt Capps set the Braves down in the ninth inning.
Braves post-game comments
Box Score
For further game analysis see: Braves Drop Game, Series To Nationals
The Braves move on to face the NL Central power Reds who have a number of ex-Lookouts on the roster including Joey Votto, 2006 Southern League Player of the Year.
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Source: MLB.com
Derek Lowe
- Photo2 by Tim Evearitt