The Atlanta Braves traveled to Washington and handled business in a big way on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, dismantling the Nationals 9-0 behind a dominant offensive effort and a bullpen that didn't allow a single earned run. Ronald Acuña Jr. went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, Sean Murphy crushed a solo shot and drove in four, and Atlanta's pitching staff combined to shut out Washington across nine innings in a lopsided division win.

Acuña and Murphy Power Atlanta's Offense

Acuña Jr. was the headliner, going 3-for-5 with a long ball and three RBI in a performance that reminded everyone what he looks like when he's locked in. Murphy backed him up emphatically, going 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI — the catcher doing serious damage in the middle of the lineup. Austin Riley chipped in two hits and two RBI, while Mike Yastrzemski added two more hits to keep the pressure constant against a battered Nationals pitching staff.

In total, the Braves collected 9 runs against five Washington pitchers, with the damage coming in waves. Starter Brad Lord held Atlanta to two hits over 3.1 innings with six strikeouts and no earned runs — a solid outing that kept the game close early. But Riley Cornelio took the loss after allowing three earned runs in 2.2 innings, and Max Kranick was roughed up for five earned runs on four hits and three walks in just 1.1 innings. That stretch in the middle innings is where Atlanta put the game away.

Atlanta's Pitching Staff Delivers a Collective Shutout

On the other side, the Braves got contributions from every arm they deployed. Grant Holmes opened with three perfect innings — no hits, no walks, one strikeout — setting the tone for the night. Dylan Dodd added a clean inning of work, and Elieser Hernández followed with three more scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out one. Hernández earned the win. Didier Fuentes and Victor Mederos closed it out, with Fuentes striking out two in a clean frame and Mederos finishing with a scoreless ninth. The Nationals did not score.

Turning Point: The Middle-Inning Explosion

The game turned decisively when Kranick entered in relief of Cornelio. The right-hander could not find the strike zone or get hitters out, surrendering five earned runs on four hits and three walks in 1.1 innings. That stretch ballooned a manageable deficit into an insurmountable one, and Washington never recovered. Matt Waldron provided some relief with 0.2 clean innings, but the damage was done.

Braves Offensive Highlights

  • Ronald Acuña Jr.: 3-for-5, 1 HR, 3 RBI
  • Sean Murphy: 2-for-4, 1 HR, 4 RBI
  • Austin Riley: 2-for-4, 2 RBI
  • Mike Yastrzemski: 2-for-5

Braves Pitching Highlights

  • Grant Holmes: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
  • Dylan Dodd: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
  • Elieser Hernández (W): 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
  • Didier Fuentes: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
  • Victor Mederos: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

What's Next for the Braves

Atlanta finishes this road series against Washington before returning to Truist Park. The Braves collected 9 runs on the strength of their lineup top to bottom, and a pitching staff that delivered a clean, nine-inning shutout in a game that never felt remotely in doubt after the middle innings. A 9-0 win over a division opponent in September is exactly what you want to see from this club.