Dickey, Braves beat Nationals

ATLANTA — R.A. Dickey frustrated Washington with his knuckleball for eight innings, and Ozzie Albies had three hits as the Atlanta Braves beat the Nationals 3-2 Thursday night.

After Ryan Zimmerman’s leadoff homer in the second inning, the 42-year-old Dickey gave up only one hit — a twoout single by Trea Turner in the third — over the next five innings. Turner was picked off first base.

Dickey (10-10) gave up two runs, four hits and no walks, making a strong case for the Braves to pick up his $8 million club option for 2018.

Arodys Vizcaino struck out the side in a perfect ninth for his 12th save in 15 chances. It was a strong return to form after he walked all three batters he faced in a blown save Wednesday night.

Ender Inciarte continued his push for 200 hits when he led off Atlanta’s half of the first with a triple to right field. It was his 191st hit, the third-highest total in the majors. Inciarte scored on Albies’ single.

The Braves scored two runs in the fourth off Tanner Roark (13-10). Albies singled, moved to third on catcher Matt Wieters’ wild pickoff attempt and scored the go-ahead run on Freddie Freeman’s fly to deep left field. Nick Markakis doubled past Zimmerman at first base and scored on Johan Camargo’s single up the middle.

The Nationals trimmed the Braves’ lead to one in the eighth, when Anthony Rendon doubled to left field and scored on Wieters’ twoout single.