After two losses to begin the series, the Nationals again find themselves facing a Sunday finale seeking a salvage against the Braves. Last weekend in Atlanta, the Nats came through with a win on Sunday after losing three in a row.
This time around they look to former Braves starter AnÃbal Sánchez (8-8, 4.04 ERA) to stop the sweep. Sánchez has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four starts. The Braves put up southpaw Max Fried (16-5, 4.02), who defeated the Nats 4-2 on Sept. 5 with seven shutout innings, allowing only one hit with no walks and nine strikeouts.
Third baseman Anthony Rendon drilled his 43rd double of the season last night in the first inning of the 10-1 setback. Trea Turner scored the Nats lone run on the play. In 58 games since the All-Star Break, Rendon is hitting .366 (82-for-224) with 21 doubles, one triple, 13 homers, 31 walks and 58 RBIs.
Center fielder Victor Robles went 2-for-3 Saturday, his 31st multi-hit game of 2019.
Yan Gomes will return to catching duties after the day off. Kurt Suzuki is swinging a bat in the cage but not related to return to games yet as he nurses an elbow injury.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:38 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, TBS, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Mostly sunny, 86 degrees, 15 percent chance of rain, wind 6 mph out to left field
NATIONALS (81-65)
SS Trea Turner
RF Adam Eaton
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
1B Howie Kendrick
2B Brian Dozier
CF Victor Robles
C Yan Gomes
RHP AnÃbal Sánchez
BRAVES (92-57)
CF Ronald Acuña Jr.
2B Ozzie Albies
1B Freddie Freeman
3B Josh Donaldson
LF Nick Markakis
RF Matt Joyce
C Brian McCann
SS Dansby Swanson
LHP Max Fried