Culberson’s HR binge continues
WASHINGTON — Former Calhoun High School standout Charlie Culberson hit a home run for the third straight game, and Ronald Acuna Jr. and Tyler Flowers added two-run homers as the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 8-3 Wednesday night.
Culberson hit a three-run drive off Tommy Milone (1-1) in the second inning, and it was 7-1 by the fourth. Culberson has eight home runs this season, with all but three against the Nationals.
Atlanta has won eight of 10 games to move within a halfgame of first-place Philadelphia in the NL East. Washington fell six games back after its second consecutive loss to the Braves.
The Nationals’ Bryce Harper hit his 28th homer of the season during the sixth inning, which is also when the hosts showed their frustration after rookie Luis Soto and hitting coach Kevin Long were ejected by home plate umpire Greg Gibson. Soto started jawing at Gibson before stepping into the batter’s box, presumably in regard to the third-strike call to end his previous at-bat.
Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz (9-7) allowed three runs (one earned) in 5 2/3 innings. He’s 3-2 in five starts against Washington this season.
Foltynewicz needed 35 pitches to get out of the first inning. He gave up a double, a single and a walk, and another runner reached on a throwing error — yet the Nationals scored only one unearned run and left the bases loaded.
In the second, Milone yielded a pair of two-out singles before Culberson sent an 0-2 pitch into the Atlanta bullpen beyond the left-field wall.
Flowers and Acuna went deep in the fourth to put the Braves comfortably ahead.
It was 7-2 in the sixth before Harper hit his leadoff homer and Soto was ejected. Washington went on to load the bases with two outs before Luke Jackson replaced Foltynewicz and struck out Adam Eaton.
Acuna made a sensational catch in the fourth inning to rob Matt Adams of a home run. Acuna raced back to the center-field wall, leaped and snagged the ball with his outstretched glove before sprawling on the warning track. Foltynewicz waved his cap to show his appreciation for the play.