Sep 16, 2007, 5:22 GMT
Washington, DC - Robert Fick belted a pinch-hit a three-run home run in the third inning as the Washington Nationals downed the Atlanta Braves, 7-4, in the second of a three-game series at RFK Stadium.
D'Angelo Jimenez went 3-for-3 with a two-run home run and two runs scored while Austin Kearns and Ronnie Belliard each drove in a run for the Nationals, who snapped a three-game losing streak.
Jason Bergmann (5-5) got the win as he gave up just four runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings.
Chipper Jones hit a three-run home run and Corky Miller added a solo shot for the Braves, who have lost four of six and now sit 5 1/2 games behind San Diego for the NL wild card lead.
Lance Cormier (2-6) was tagged with the loss as he gave up five runs -- four earned -- on three hits with four walks in two-plus innings.
Washington got on the board in the first inning as Jimenez roped a two-run homer over the right field wall.
The Braves briefly took the lead in the third as Kelly Johnson walked and Edgar Renteria followed with a single before Jones belted a shot over the right field fence for a 3-2 lead.
However, the Nationals regained the lead in the bottom half. Jimenez led off with a double, Ryan Zimmerman followed with a walk and Fick then made it a 5-3 game with a blast into the right field stands.
Miller led off the fourth inning with a homer to make it a 5-4 contest.
However, Washington added some insurance in the eighth with a pair of runs. Kearns' double to left-center scored Zimmerman and, after Wily Mo Pena was intentionally walked, Belliard's single plated Kearns for a 7-4 lead.
After Bergmann left with two outs in the seventh, Arnie Munoz retired the final batter of the inning, Jon Rauch pitched a scoreless eighth and Chad Cordero closed the game to pick up his 34th save of the season.
Game Notes
The home run was Miller's first since May 26, 2002...Washington's Dmitri Young was struck on the side of the head by a ground ball in the third inning and later left the game. He is listed as having a stiff neck and a slight headache and is day-to-day...Atlanta reliever Buddy Carlyle suffered a hyperextended right elbow and left in the fifth inning...Attendance was 26,866.
© 2007 The Sports Network
Game Notes.
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