PAINFUL WIN, BUT BACK IN PLAYOFFS

Braves win 10-1 after Culberson takes a pitch to the face in the 7th.

The Braves WASHINGTON — clinched their spot in the 2019 postseason after a four-run seventh inning pushed them past the Nationals, but there was no jubilation in the clubhouse Saturday.

Charlie Culberson entered to pinch hit in the seventh inning of a 1-1 game. Attempting to lay down a bunt, he was hit in the face by a pitch from Fernando Rodney. Culberson quickly hit the ground and was checked on by team trainers and coaches. He was carted off after a few minutes, with the trainers trying to slow his bleeding with towels.

Minutes later, Ronald Acuna Jr. ripped a two-run double to left. The Braves would add another pair that inning and four more on the night, going on to win 10-1 and taking their final series in

Washington. It secured the Braves’ place in the postseason for a second consecutive year and dropped their magic number to clinch the National League East to four.

The seventh inning turned into the team’s rallying point. When Culberson left the field, the umpires called his play a swing rather than a hit by pitch. Manager Brian Snitker angrily argued until he was ejected by first base umpire Bill Welke. It was the 13th ejection of Snitker’s career.

Nine runs later, the Braves locked down a postseason spot.

Adam Duvall struck out to finish Culberson’s at-bat, but Acuna and Ozzie Albies followed with extra-base hits. Nick Markakis finished the frame with an RBI single, his second of the game and third run knocked in since returning Friday.

Mike Foltynewicz returned to the place where he melted down in late June. Foltynewicz allowed eight runs in that outing, forcing the Braves to demote him to Triple-A.

The former All-Star has since looked revived. He allowed one run Saturday on Anthony Rendon’s RBI double in the first inning. He retired 11 consecutive hitters to end his afternoon, not allowing a National to reach after the third frame.

He finished at six innings, lifted because of the Braves’ golden offensive opportunity in a 1-1 game. Foltynewicz, who threw 89 pitches, held the Nationals to four hits, walking one and striking out five.

It was another promising outing for Foltynewicz, who owns a sub-3.00 ERA since returning from his demotion. It’s yet to be seen how the Braves will handle their postseason rotation, but Foltynewicz is building a case to be part of it.

Left-hander Max Fried will face former Brave Anibal Sanchez in today’s series finale. The Braves are trying to sweep the Nationals by winning their fifth consecutive game in the nation’s capital.

MANUEL BALCE CENETA / AP Charlie Culberson has a towel held to his face as he is taken off the field after bring hit by a Fernando Rodney pitch during the seventh inning Saturday.

PHOTOS BY MITCHELL LAYTON / GETTY IMAGES Above: Charlie Culberson is hit by a Fernando Rodney pitch in the seventh inning while pinch hitting when the score was 1-1. The Braves then scored four runs in the inning. Right: Manager Brian Snitker argues with umpire Tim Timmons, who called a strike on the pitch that hit Culberson. Snitker was ejected.