By Sam Bush
Atlanta pinch-hitter Pablo Sandoval drove a two-run homer off a Washington reliever who took over after Stephen Strasburg’s six scoreless innings, lifting the Braves to a 2-0 victory over the Nationals and a sweep.
Sandoval connected on a 96 mph fastball from Tanner Rainey (0-1) more than 400 feet following Dansby Swanson’s two-out single in the seventh and final inning.
Luke Jackson (1-0) earned the win in Game 2, and Sean Newcomb got three strikeouts for the save..
Ronald Acua Jr. doubled and had a pair of singles as Atlanta won the opener 7-6.
The Braves put up five runs in the second inning off Erick Fedde (0-1), then wound up barely holding on with a save by Will Smith. Andrew Stevenson grounded into a game-ending double play.
Josh Tomlin (1-0) pitched two hitless innings.
Washington is missing nine players because of a coronavirus outbreak that led to the postponement of the team’s first four games. Four players tested positive for COVID-19, and another five who would have been on the 26-man roster are under quarantine.
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