Nationals formula equals another victory against the Braves

Thursday’s 3-1 victory was no different. Trevor Williams allowed just one run in 5⅔ innings. Then, manager Dave Martinez used four relievers to eliminate any chance of a comeback. The plan was simple, but it helped Washington win a road series against the team that has led the National League East for the past six seasons.

“I think going into Game 4 of the series, you kind of have a good idea of ​​what the lineup is going to do,” Williams said. “All the guys the last three days had great outings. … We were able to execute our game plan for the most part and it was a well-fought win for us.

Williams, a 32-year-old right-hander, lowered his ERA to 2.22 to improve to 5-0 on the season. He hasn’t allowed more than three points in a game this season. Neither did rookie Mitchell Parker, who allowed three in the Nationals’ win Monday. Neither is left-hander MacKenzie Gore, who struck out 10 in the Nationals’ win over the Braves on Wednesday. Even Jake Irvin, who struck out 10 and didn’t allow a run in Tuesday’s loss, has done so only four times in 11 starts.

The Nationals’ starting rotation had the 14th-best ERA (3.98) in the majors on Thursday; and that’s with Patrick Corbin, who has a 6.12 ERA and is scheduled to start Friday night against the American League-leading Cleveland Guardians. The Nationals bullpen was even better, ranking 12th in the league in ERA (3.73).

“I’m just proud of the rotation that we’re able to put together every day and give the team a chance to win and put it into our bullpen, which has been so shut down for us,” Williams said . “It’s been great when it all comes together for us.”

The Braves remain one of the best teams in the National League – even without reigning MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. And yet the Nationals have made the Braves look average. Atlanta hasn’t scored more than four runs in a game, and if not for Marcell Ozuna’s home run on Tuesday, the Nationals could have left Atlanta with a sweep.

“I think it’s very important for the confidence of this team,” Joey Meneses said through an interpreter. “Knowing that we beat a very good team in Atlanta that is still in the fight for the playoffs. It’s a very good team.

The Nationals scored all of their runs in the third inning Thursday on a pair of doubles; Meneses hit a two-run double on a pitch that stranded him, but slipped inside the right field line to score two runs. Jesse Winker drove him in with an RBI double in the ensuing at-bat to push the Nationals ahead 3-0.

That was more than enough for Williams, who rarely found himself in trouble. His toughest inning came in the third when Jarred Kelenic led off with a triple on a line drive that Eddie Rosario misplayed to left. One pitch later, Michael Harris II hit a sacrifice fly to cut the Nationals’ lead.

Two more batters reached in that frame against Williams before Ozzie Albies flew out to left. Then Williams retired the next eight batters before Albies singled in the sixth inning to end Williams’ night. The hit was one of the few glimmers of hope for the Braves, but Dylan Floro struck out Orlando Arcia.

Atlanta’s last chance came in the ninth inning when Kyle Finnegan walked Albies. But Finnegan regrouped to retire the next three batters.

“They pitched really well,” Martinez said. “They attack the zone, without running a lot of guys. You do that, you put hitters in swing mode. As I said before, this is a good thing. It was a good night for Trevor and our entire pitching staff was really good.

Remarks: Josiah Gray threw his second live bullpen session before Thursday’s game with Martinez watching from behind home plate. Martinez said Gray, out since April 10 with a right flexor strain, threw well and his breaking throws were sharper than in his first live session. Gray will throw his third bullpen session Tuesday. The team will then determine the next step, which could include a rehabilitation mission. …

Cade Cavalli pitched for Class A High Wilmington Thursday night, his first start of the year with a Nationals affiliate as he returns from Tommy John surgery. Cavalli didn’t allow a hit through 2⅔ innings and struck out five, but allowed two runs. His problem ? He walked three batters and threw two wild pitches. One run was scored on a bases-loaded wild pitch, while the other came via a sacrifice fly.