Nationals score Braves starter Charlie Morton for eight runs in 8-4 win over Atlanta

ATLANTA (AP) — Mitchell Parker threw five hits in the seventh inning and CJ Abrams hit a home runhelping the Washington Nationals beat the depleted Atlanta Braves 8-4 on Monday.

Parker (4-2) allowed three runs, struck out six and walked none in 6 1/3 innings. He threw 100 pitches, 74 of which were strikes.

The rookie left-hander allowed three runs or fewer in each of his first eight major league starts. Efficiency is one of Parker’s keys to success.

“Just a lot of early contact, a lot of ground balls,” Parker said. “The fielders were making a lot of plays and … just keeping the counts short, the countdown. It’s all that matters.”

Jacob Young had three of 15 hits in the national championship. Nick Senzel had two hits, including a two-run single in a four-run first inning against Charlie Morton.

“We love playing defense behind him,” Abrams said of Parker’s quick innings. “The more time you spend in the dugout and hitting, the better off you are.”

The Braves adjusted their lineup in their first game since losing 2023 NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. to a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear left knee on Sunday.

Second baseman Ozzie Albies was the team’s new leadoff hitter. Jared Kelenic and Adam Duvall, who split time in left field, each started. Duvall replaced Acuña on the right and Kelenic started on the left.

Parker was working to an 8-0 lead before fading in the seventh.

Morton (3-2) was charged with eight runs and 12 hits in 5 2/3 innings. It was the most runs allowed by Morton, a 40-year-old right-hander, since he allowed nine runs in a 9-2 loss to Washington while pitching for Pittsburgh on June 21, 2015.

Manager Brian Snitker said his choice to leave Albies up front was “an everyday thing.” I like him against a southpaw, obviously. I can stay with him.

Albies opened the game with a single to right field. Parker retired the next 14 Atlanta batters before Michael Harris II singled up the middle with two outs in the fifth.

Eddie Rosario, who hit 21 home runs for Atlanta last year and later accepted a minor league contract with Washington in March, received a warm welcome from fans in the first round. Rosario took off his batting helmet, patted his chest over his heart and delivered a double to score Washington’s first run.

TRAINERS ROOM

Nationals: OF Victor Robles was designated for assignment as OF Lane Thomas (left knee sprain) was activated from the 10-day injured list. Robles, 27, was hitting just .120 with four stolen bases this season and .236 for his career. Thomas had two doubles and scored a run in his return after missing 29 games.

Braves: Acuña was placed on the 10-day injured list. OF JP Martinez was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett. INF Joey Wendle was assigned to this mission. 3B Austin Riley had no hits in his return after missing two weeks with a strain on his left side.

FOLLOWING

LHP Max Fried (4-2, 3.38 ERA), coming off his second complete victory of the season, is expected to start for Atlanta against Washington RHP Jake Irvin (2-5, 3.79 ERA) on Tuesday night . Fried is 7-4 with a 4.22 ERA in 17 career games against the Nationals.

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