Gomes' homer in 8th lifts Nationals over Braves, 5-3

ATLANTA (AP) — Yan Gomes hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning, Jon Lester gave Washington's thin rotation a boost and the Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 5-3 on Wednesday night.

Gomes' drive to left-center off A.J. Minter (1-2) with two outs broke a 3-all tie and helped the Nationals earn their second consecutive win over the Braves after Atlanta won the opener of the four-game series.

Juan Soto's two-run homer in the fifth gave Washington a 3-1 lead. Ozzie Albies' two-run double in the seventh tied the game.

Soto had been 0 for 7 against Drew Smyly before he hit a fastball into the stands in left-center to break a 1-all tie. The drive was Soto's sixth of the season and second in two days.

Lester, starting on three days' rest, was asked by Nationals manager Dave Martinez to “just take us as long as he can go.” Lester came within one out of matching his longest start of the season as he gave up only one run on five hits and two walks in 5 2/3 innings.

Lester's start was especially important after Washington placed right-hander Stephen Strasburg on the 10-day injured list with a neck strain before the game. Strasburg previously was on the 10-day IL from April 15 until May 21 with right shoulder inflammation.

Dansby Swanson's homer to right-center tied the game in the second.

The Nationals loaded the bases with one out in the third before Smyly struck out Gomes and Kyle Schwarber. Smyly allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings.

Washington right-hander Tanner Rainey gave up a double to pinch-hitter Abraham Almonte to open the seventh. Rainey struck out pinch-hitter Pablo Sandoval and Ronald Acuña Jr. before walking Freddie Freeman.

Albies' double to the wall in right-center off Daniel Hudson (4-1) drove in Almonte and Freeman to tie the...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Gomes-homer-in-8th-lifts-Nationals-over-Braves-16221090.php