WASHINGTON -- As they try to climb their way back into the playoff race, the Nationals see this four-game series with the Braves as a golden opportunity, a chance to make up ground against one of the teams directly in front of them in the National League East. The Nats had a chance to sweep Tuesday's doubleheader with their ace, Max Scherzer, ready to start the nightcap after the afternoon's 8-3 win.
The Nationals squandered that opportunity, however, falling to the Braves, 3-1, on Tuesday night and coming away with a split. With the game tied at 1 in the ninth, Kelvin Herrera gave up a two-run triple to Ender Inciarte to put Atlanta ahead.