Spencer Strider, boasting an MLB-leading 19 wins, led the Atlanta Braves to their 100th victory of the season on Sunday night, as they defeated the Washington Nationals 8-5 in a doubleheader split.

 

The Braves (100-56) showcased their power with Kevin Pillar and Forrest Wall both hitting homers, while Orlando Arcia contributed with three RBIs. This marks the first time the Braves have won 100 games in consecutive seasons since 2002-03.

On the other side, Luis García and Lane Thomas homered for the Nationals, who currently occupy the last place in the standings and have experienced a tough season, losing three out of four games in this series and nine of their last 13 overall.

 

In the first game of the doubleheader, rookie Jackson Rutledge secured his first major league victory as the Nationals prevailed 3-2.

Strider (19-5) took the mound in the second game, pitching 5 2/3 innings and allowing four runs on seven hits, including García’s solo home run in the sixth inning. Despite the runs, Strider’s performance included four strikeouts, bringing his season total to 274, just two short of John Smoltz’s modern franchise record set in 1996.

 

The Nationals jumped ahead in the third inning, scoring three runs against Strider when Keibert Ruiz hit a two-run double, followed by García’s RBI single.

However, the Braves swiftly erased the deficit in the fourth inning. Matt Olson and Arcia both hit RBI doubles against Nationals starter Joan Adon (2-4). Arcia then scored on Pillar’s drive to left field.

 

Wall’s two-run home run to right field off Jose A. Ferrer in the sixth extended Atlanta’s lead to 6-3, marking his first big league home run. Arcia added a two-run single in the seventh inning.

 

In the ninth, Thomas added to his season home run total with his 27th of the year, sending a shot to left field off Raisel Iglesias.

The second game of the doubleheader was a makeup for Saturday’s rainout.