Atlanta Braves beat Washington Nationals 8-6 behind Michael Harris II

How the game turned

The Nationals trailed 1-0 when Daylen Lile hit a three-run home run in the 1st, putting the Nationals ahead 3-1.

A 3-run 2nd was the Atlanta Braves' largest inning. The club scored in 4 of their 9 innings at bat and ended with 8 runs. The Washington Nationals were scoreless in 7 of 9 innings, and the final margin was 2 runs.

The first turn for the Atlanta Braves

The Braves trailed 4-3 when Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a sacrifice fly that scored Mike Yastrzemski in the 2nd, tying the game at 4-4.

Braves hitters

Michael Harris II finished 2-for-4 with 2 runs, 2 home runs, and 3 RBIs. Matt Olson had 1 hit in 4 at-bats with 1 run, 1 home run, and 3 RBIs. Drake Baldwin collected 2 hits across 3 at-bats with 1 run, 1 home run, 1 RBI, and 1 walk. Ronald Acuña Jr. went 0-for-3 with 1 run, 1 RBI, and 1 walk. 6 batters combined for the Atlanta Braves' 8 hits. They also drew 3 walks. 4 hits went for extra bases.

Harris finished the game batting .296 for the season, with 6 home runs, 14 RBIs and a .880 OPS. Nationals hitter Daylen Lile finished 2-for-5 with 1 run, 1 double, 1 home run, and 3 RBIs.

The mound

In 3 innings, Didier Fuentes threw 74 pitches, allowing 7 hits and 4 runs, walking 1 and striking out 7. 5 pitchers combined for the Atlanta Braves' 9 innings on 166 pitches, allowing 11 hits and 3 walks with 12 strikeouts.

Nationals starter Zack Littell worked 6 innings on 96 pitches, allowing 7 hits and 8 runs, walking 2 and striking out 1.

In the standings

The Atlanta Braves' record through April 22, 2026 was 17-8; the club was 1st in the division. The Braves ranked 1st in the league with a .680 winning percentage.