WASHINGTON _ The Braves could've veered off the rails when their starter exited after two innings Sunday. Instead, they left the nation's capital with a series win.
Staying afloat thanks to solo homers from Josh Donaldson and Ronald Acuna _ and masterful pitching by long-reliever Josh Tomlin _ Johan Camargo won it for the Braves with a two-run shot in the 10th. His blast to right pushed them past the Nationals 4-3 to take two of three this weekend.
The Braves led most of the day until the Nationals plated two in the seventh, refreshing the game. There wouldn't be any more scoring until the 10th.
Ozzie Albies drew a one-out walk from Tanner Rainey before Camargo pinch-hit. Four pitches later, he scooped a low 97-mph fastball for his fourth homer of the year and second extra-base hit in as many days.
As such, the Braves' hard-to-fathom late-inning offense added another notch to its belt. Of the Braves' 118 homers, 48 have come in the seventh or later.
Mike Soroka had sailed through two frames, but the 21-year-old was forced out after getting hit in the right forearm by an Austin Voth pitch. Soroka, who entered with a 2.07 ERA, slammed his bat in frustration before taking his base.
Unexpectedly, the Canadian righty was removed for the bottom of the third. The Braves announced it as a precautionary measure _ understandably, they played it safer with Soroka, who's had shoulder issues in the past and is logging the largest workload of his career.
Enter Tomlin, who's proved an excellent bargain-bin grab for the Braves despite his proneness for the long ball. After allowing a lead-off knock, the veteran retired the next 12 Nationals over four innings.
Juan Soto's solo home run off Grant Dayton in the seventh gave the Nationals life. A pair of hits off Jacob Webb reset the game entering the eighth.
The Braves had only four hits through seven frames, yet two left the yard. Donaldson rocketed a low slider over the center-field wall for the game's first run in the fourth inning. Acuna, who's scuffled lately, made the most of a fastball down the middle for a 2-0 lead in the sixth.
It was another gut-check win for the Braves, who pulled off a four-run rally Saturday night. They could've been content coasting through the game after Soroka's exit. It even could've spiraled downhill after the Nationals tied it.
Instead, the Braves gained a game on their rivals after three more meetings. Paired with the Phillies inexplicably getting swept at home by the Marlins, the Braves lead the National League East by 6-{ games.
The team's longest remaining road trip continues in two of the country's largest markets, Chicago and New York. Next up, the Braves will see the Cubs four times, starting Monday when Julio Teheran (5-5, 3.40) faces Jon Lester (6-5, 4.13).
