WASHINGTON _ Ender Inciarte was disregarded in the Braves lineup after a disastrous first half. His second half has been vintage Inciarte, and never more so than Tuesday night, when one hit felt like it unleashed months' worth of demons.
In a 1-1 stalemate, thanks to a pair of dueling aces, Inciarte came through with a two-run triple to help the Braves split a doubleheader at Nationals Park, 3-1, and avoid giving up two games of ground on the Nationals in a day.
After singles by Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis, Inciarte slipped a rare soft two-run triple down the right field line in the ninth inning. Just like that, the Braves won a game started by Max Scherzer, dropping the Nationals to 17-7 when their ace took the mound.
As for the Braves starter situation, fans passionately pleaded for the team to acquire a frontline guy over the past two seasons. They were already developing one.
Sean Newcomb's encore to his near no-hitter was six innings of one-run ball. He went toe-to-toe with Scherzer, whom many consider the best pitcher in the game, and faced one of the hottest-hitting lineups in the league.
Newcomb and Scherzer played to a stalemate, each allowing a run in six and seven innings, respectively.
The Braves offense against Scherzer consisted of one swing _ a solo shot from Charlie Culberson in the sixth, his second in two games Tuesday _ but they squandered the chance to do more.
Down a run in the fourth, Freeman walked and Markakis singled to give the Braves runners at the corners with none out, setting up their best scoring chance against Scherzer.
Kurt Suzuki struck out on six pitches. Ender Inciarte required eight pitches to retire, but popped up in the infield. Johan Camargo drew a 3-0 count. Three pitches later, he grounded out to third.
It required 33 pitches, but Scherzer didn't permit a Brave to touch home plate that inning. He pitched seven innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out six.
As for the Braves' frontline starter, Sean Newcomb was exceptional. He showed no lingering effects from throwing 134 pitches last time out, a promising sign even with extra days of rest. He went an inning less than Scherzer, his only mishap a fastball down the middle that 19-year-old sensation Juan Soto demolished.
Newcomb bolted from a dangerous situation of his own. Michael Taylor opened the fifth with a double. The lefty got Matt Wieters to ground out and Scherzer to pop out before walking Trae Turner. He struck out nemesis Soto on six pitches.
The same Braves that carved out two runs against Jacob deGrom _ Scherzer's near-only competition in the Cy Young race _ a few days ago, couldn't do the same Tuesday. It was Culberson, who's so often played a pivotal role on this upstart team, that blasted a ball into left field for the equalizer.
Then Inciarte, who seemingly slipped down the totem pole with each prospect who graduated, saved the Braves from a devastating result.
Washington is close to nipping at the Braves' heels in the playoff race. It dominated game one, then had the best pitcher in baseball on the mound and a one-run lead in game two.
But the Braves came through, as they've repeatedly done in a year that's captured the aura of the golden days. This time, they have once-forgotten-now-remember man Inciarte to thank.
