Three-run 8th inning lifts Nationals over Braves 9-7
WASHINGTON — Pinch-runner Michael A. Taylor scored the go-ahead run on catcher Tyler Flowers’ throwing error as part of a three-run eighth inning and the Washington Nationals defeated the Atlanta Braves 9-7 on Tuesday night.
Taylor pinch-ran after Braves reliever Jose Ramirez (2-2) walked Ryan Zimmerman. Taylor stole second and, after Danny Espinosa’s walk, scored when an off-balance Flowers threw pinch-hitter Ben Revere’s bunt attempt well to the left of third baseman Adonis Garcia.
Trea Turner then hit a two-run single for Washington, which beat Atlanta for the 13th time in 15 meetings this season.
Koda Glover (2-0) retired the only two batters he faced to earn the victory, while Mark Melancon earned his 39th save in 42 opportunities.
Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper secured his first career 20 homer-20 steal season with a stolen base in the seventh.
Smoker gets win
CINCINNATI — Yoenis Cespedes hit the most damaging of New York’s four homers, a two-run shot in the seventh inning, as the Mets rallied for their 13th straight victory over the Cincinnati Reds, 5-3 on Tuesday night.
Former Calhoun (Ga.) High School ace Josh Smoker allowed one hit in one inning and got the pitching win. He’s 2-0 as a major leaguer.
The Mets’ winning streak is their longest against Cincinnati. The club record against any opponent is 15 straight wins against Pittsburgh in 1986-87. New York has won 18 of its last 20 games against Cincinnati, including its division-clinching win at Great American Ball Park last Sept. 26.
Overall, New York has won 13 of 17 to tighten the NL wild-card race.
Curtis Granderson and Jose Reyes had solo shots off Brandon Finnegan. Cespedes connected off Michael Lorenzen (2-1) for his 28th homer. Alejandro De Aza had a pinch-hit homer in the ninth.
Rafael Montero made his second pitching start of the season and gave up Adam Duvall’s two-run homer in 4 1/3 innings. Jeurys Familia pitched the ninth for his 46th save in 49 chances. The closer has allowed one earned run in 15 2/3 innings since Aug. 1.
The Reds have dropped 11 of 15 overall, including the first two games of the series.
Granderson’s fourth homer in his last seven games gave him 24 for the season. The Mets have hit six homers in the first two games of the series, five of them solo shots.
Mets right fielder Jay Bruce singled in four at-bats. In his first series against his former team, he’s gone 1-for-8 with three strikeouts.