Ian Desmond drove in Bryce Harper from third with a sacrifice fly, and the Washington Nationals won their fifth straight, defeating the Atlanta Braves, 2-1, in 11 innings on Wednesday.
Harper doubled with one out in the 11th off Braves reliever Dana Eveland (0-1), who intentionally walked Wilson Ramos and then walked Clint Robinson on a 3-2 pitch to load the bases.
Desmond hit a fly ball to left on the first pitch of his at bat, and Harper crossed the plate with the winning run.
Felipe Rivero (1-0) got the win in relief. Drew Storen had his second blown save of the season, giving up a game-tying sacrifice fly in the ninth to Kelly Johnson.
Nats starter Jordan Zimmerman pitched eight scoreless innings, giving up six hits, striking out three and walking none.
Washington (39-33) has a three and a half game lead in the National League East over the second-place New York Mets.
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Chris Graham
