Freeman sits; Braves complete 1st sweep of Nats since 2014

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ehire Adrianza made the most of a rare start on a day off for slumping NL MVP Freddie Freeman, providing a nice defensive play and a two-run single to back Drew Smyly's strong outing Thursday, leading Atlanta past Washington 3-2 for the Braves' first sweep of the Nationals since 2014.

Atlanta outscored its division rival 14-6 over the three games.

In a contest streamed on YouTube instead of aired on TV, Smyly (1-2) pitched into the seventh and allowed four hits and an unearned run.

After the left-hander walked a man on his 98th pitch and was lifted, righty Luke Jackson gave up a hit to put a pair of runners on for pinch-hitter Juan Soto. But Jackson got the 2020 NL batting champion to fly out.

Braves manager Brian Snitker left Freeman out of the lineup after a 1-for-24 stretch over the six games preceding Thursday's dropped the first baseman's average to .202. Austin Riley shifted from third base to first, and Adrianza played third, where he robbed Trea Turner of a hit in the third inning.

In the next half-inning, Adrianza's looper to center field capped a three-run outburst off Jon Lester (0-1) that also included Marcell Ozuna's RBI double.

Lester allowed three runs and four hits and left after facing one batter in the sixth.

Washington pulled within 3-1 when a run scored on an error by Ronald Acuña Jr. in the fourth. It was 3-2 after Yan Gomes' RBI single in the eighth, but Grant Dayton entered with two runners on and struck out Kyle Schwarber and Victor Robles.

Will Smith worked around Ryan Zimmerman's pinch-hit leadoff double in the ninth for his seventh save in seven chances.

MARTINEZ'S MARK

Dave Martinez set a team record by managing in his 411th game with the Nationals, one more than Manny Acta's total from 2007-09. Martinez found out about...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Freeman-sits-Braves-complete-1st-sweep-of-Nats-16158381.php