The Washington Nationals pounded out 11 hits for seven runs, and Craig Stammen -- making his return to the big league rotation -- was exceptional, leading the Nats to a 7-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves before 19,045 at Turner Field.
The win snaps Washington's five game losing streak -- and seven game road losing streak. The Nats record moves to 34-44.
Stammen (W, 2-2, 5.13) was very strong in his first start since being sent down to the minors for a three-start stint. He went 7 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks, striking out four. He even chipped in with a run-scoring sacrifice fly.
"He really threw the ball good against a tough lineup," Manager Jim Riggleman said in his post-game interview.
The Nats even played some decent defense for a change. Ryan Zimmerman had a couple of nice stops, Josh Willingham made a diving catch in left field, and even Adam Dunn snared a blistering one-hopper behind Stammen, who threw 57 of his 99 pitches for strikes.
Stammen relied mostly on his fastball, slider and change-up, and mixed in an occasional curveball the third time through the Braves lineup.
The offense was led by Zimmerman, who had a two-run double during the Nats' three-run fifth, Willingham hammered a two-run homer (14) off Peter Moylan in the seventh, and Alberto Gonzalez matched his career high with four hits.
"Zim got a huge hit for us," Riggleman said. "That's the hit that we've been missing that a little bit and when Zim uses right field usually good things happen."
Nyjer Morgan showed more of what the organization hoped to see from him this season as well, going 2-for-5 with a run, stolen base and an RBI, though he did have trouble with a line drive that he overran when it checked up on him and went behind him for a triple.
But that's nit-picking on a night that saw the Nats play a fairly complete game to beat a good team on the road.
THE GOOD: Alberto Gonzalez. Any time a guy goes 4-for-4 you gotta give him props. Willingham and Morgan both had two hits, and Zimmerman delivered big when the outcome was still in doubt.
And all credit must be given to Stammen. Sent down to make room for Stephen Strasburg three weeks ago, Stammen went down to the minors as succeeded with Syracuse, and he got 14 ground ball outs tonight in a very quality outing.
THE BAD: Adam Dunn went 0-for-5 with three strikouts.
THE UGLY: It was a well-played game but the Nats on all acounts, so we'll give the ugly to Braves reliever Peter Moylan. Moylan had not given up a home run over the fence since Opening Day 2009, when Zimmerman hit the shot that christened Nationals Park...until Willingham touched him in the seventh.
THE STATS: The Nats struck out 10 times, walked three times and left eight men on base. They were 4-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
NEXT GAME: The Nats try to take the series from the Braves tomorrow at 7:10 pm. J.D. Martin (0-3) takes on Jair Jurrjens (0-3).
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