Marcell Ozuna’s National League-leading 18th home run helps Braves advance past Nationals, 5-2

(AP) – Austin Riley had an RBI single, Marcell Ozuna followed with a two-run homer and the Atlanta Braves scored three runs in the eighth inning to rally for a 5-2 victory over the Washington Nationals Thursday evening.

Adam Duvall scored in the seventh inning for Atlanta, which won three of four.

Rookie Mitchell Parker had no hits in the sixth for Washington, which has lost four in a row and has scored just six runs in its last three games.

The Braves took the lead against Washington reliever Hunter Harvey (2-2). Ozzie Albies doubled into the right corner, then came around when Riley lined a single to center to make it 3-2.

One pitch later, Ozuna ripped Harvey’s slider to left center for his NL-leading 18th home run. Since the start of the 2021 season, Ozuna has hit 14 home runs in 37 games against the Nationals.

Aaron Bummer (2-2) pitched a scoreless seventh for Atlanta and Raisel Iglesias managed the ninth for his 16th save in 18 chances.

Parker struck out the first 13 Atlanta batters before hitting Duvall in the fifth inning. He blocked Duvall early, hitting five shots in just 45 throws. Orlando Arcia ended the no-hitter with a double in the top of the sixth.

Parker pitched seven innings, the longest outing of his 10-start career. He allowed three hits and two runs while striking out two.

Atlanta starter Reynaldo Lopez thwarted the Nationals before CJ Abrams hit a fastball to right field for his 10th homer to lead off the sixth. Four pitches later, Lane Thomas threw a ball over the left field fence. It was the first time Washington hit back-to-back home runs this season.

Lopez, a former Washington prospect who debuted with the Nationals in 2016, allowed two runs and six hits in six innings. He struck out seven.

Parker gave up Ozuna’s leadoff single in the seventh. After Matt Olson’s flyout, Duvall fired a fastball into the visitor’s bullpen in left to tie the game.

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