ATLANTA _ On a night when Julio Teheran once again struggled at SunTrust Park, the Braves scored so many runs it didn't much matter.
The Braves scored eight runs in the first two innings and cruised to a 13-6 win against the Nationals, who had not trailed in any of their first four games this season before Freddie Freeman (2-for-3, four RBIs) and friends unloaded on Washington starter A.J. Cole.
Preston Tucker hit a three-run homer in the first inning and Freeman hit a three-run homer in the second for the Braves, who can clinch their second consecutive series to start the season with a win in Wednesday afternoon's homestand finale. It will be a challenge as the Braves and pitcher Mike Foltynewicz face two-time reigning Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer.
Teheran lasted just 2 1/3 innings and was charged with six hits, five runs, three walks and three homers including Ryan Zimmerman's two-run homer in a three-run first inning and solo homers from pitcher Cole in the second inning and Teheran nemesis Bryce Harper to start the third. But Cole, in his 18th career start, allowed 10 hits and 10 runs (all earned) in 3 2/3 innings as his ERA in three games against the Braves soared to 19.96 (17 earned runs in 7 2/3 innings).
