DJ Herz, late rally leads Nationals to win over Braves

ATLANTA — The Nationals’ offense finally benefited from some situational hitting on Sunday.

Looking to avoid a sweep in a three-game set against the Braves at Truist Park, Washington’s hitters entered Sunday’s series finale with an 0-for-12 streak with runners in scoring position.

That changed with a three-run seventh inning Sunday. The Nationals tallied two RBI knocks with runners in scoring position — a Jacob Young RBI double and a CJ Abrams run-scoring single — which was enough for Washington to take a 5-1 victory over Atlanta.

Washington scored its first run in the top of the first when Andrés Chaparro hit into a double play that allowed James Wood to score.

That was all the offense until the bottom of the sixth inning as Washington starter DJ Herz and Atlanta starter Reynaldo López dueled.

In his 14th MLB start, Herz went five scoreless innings and gave up just one hit with eight strikeouts and three walks. The right-hander, who was traded to the Nationals last season, has allowed two runs or fewer in his last seven starts.

Washington’s starting rotation over the last six games has posted a 1.80 ERA with 36 strikeouts, 10 walks and a .220 opponent batting average (28-for-127).

Herz got the no-decision, though. Atlanta tied the game when Matt Olson hit a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth off reliever Jacob Barnes. The Braves scored just one and Washington responded with the aforementioned three-run seventh.