ATLANTA: Jordan Zimmermann turned in another dominant performance, allowing two hits over eight innings, and Ian Desmond hit a two-run homer in the fourth as the Washington Nationals finally beat the Atlanta Braves, 2-0 Wednesday.
The Braves had won five in a row this season over their NL East rival, and nine straight dating to last season. Zimmermann (5-1) made sure that streak ended with another dominating performance, snapping a three-game losing streak that had knocked the Nationals under .500.
Atlanta starter Paul Maholm (3-3) nearly matched Zimmermann. He allowed only three hits in eight innings, retiring the last 13 batters he faced. But Desmond provided all the runs that Washington needed, homering to left-center on a 1-1 pitch in the fourth after Bryce Harper led off with a walk.
Pirates 6 Brewers 4: In Milwaukee, Starling Marte hit a tying two-run homer in the eighth inning and Brandon Inge had a go-ahead RBI single to rally Pittsburgh to a victory over Milwaukee, snapping the Pirates’ nine-game losing streak against the Brewers.
Pedro Alvarez added a run-scoring single to cap a four-run eighth as Pittsburgh won for the 10th time in its last 15 games and ended Milwaukee’s eight-game home winning streak. Bryan Morris (1-1) got the last two outs of the seventh for his first career victory. Mark Melancon pitched the eighth and Jason Grilli the ninth for his 11th save.
John Axford (0-3) gave up all four runs while getting just two outs in the eighth for the Brewers.
Cardinals 4, Reds 2: In St. Louis, Lance Lynn won his 10th straight decision, allowing one run and five hits in seven innings to lead the Cardinals over the Reds.
Lynn (5-0) struck out five and walked two, improving to 10-0 in 10 starts and one relief appearing since losing to Milwaukee on Sept. 7.
It’s the second straight quick start for Lynn, who was 6-0 with a 1.48 ERA through May 7 last season, then went 12-7 with a 4.46 ERA the rest of the way.