WASHINGTON -- Blown saves never come at a good time. But Jim Johnson coughed up a lead at a particularly inopportune moment on Friday.
Just when it looked like the Braves might actually make the National League East race somewhat intriguing, Johnson blew a three-run, ninth-inning lead and gave the Nationals a chance to claim a 5-4, 10-inning win and exit Nationals Park with a 9 1/2-game division lead.
"These things happen," Braves manager Brian Snitker said. "It's happening all over baseball. It's just tough because we're fighting to get to .500 and chase [the Nationals].