ATLANTA — Pinch-runner Jeff Baker scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning when reliever Ryan Mattheus hit Andrelton Simmons’ uniform with a bases-loaded pitch that helped the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 5-4 on Saturday.
Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman homered for the Braves, who have won the first two games in the series and nine of 13.
Atlanta moved within 6½ games of first-place Washington in the NL East. The Braves began the game with a seven-game lead over third-place Los Angeles in the NL wild-card race.
Braves closer Craig Kimbrel earned his 36th save in 39 ties after striking out the side. The game ended with pinch-runner Eury Perez at third when pinch-hitter Tyler Moore whiffed on a 97 mph fastball.
Eric O’Flaherty (3-0) faced the minimum in the eighth for Atlanta, extending his scoreless innings streak to 19 1/3 innings, a span of 22 games.
Heyward tied the game at 4-all with his 27th homer, a two-run shot, in the sixth inning.
In the bottom of the third, Dan Uggla made it 4-1 with an RBI double.
Freeman’s 20th homer, a solo shot in the fourth, cut the lead to 4-2.
Hanson, who is winless in his last six starts, allowed four hits and four runs — two earned — with one walk and seven strikeouts in five innings.
Jonny Venters pitched the next 1 2-3 innings for Atlanta. Peter Moylan relieved him with pinch-runner Roger Bernadina at first. Moylan gave up a single to Jayson Werth that advanced Bernadina to third.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez brought in Luis Avilan, who ended the threat with one pitch when Freeman fielded Bryce Harper’s grounder and threw to second for the forceout.