Capitol Punishment: Braves get hammered by Nats 15-1

Atlanta's losing streak is at nine after the pitching staff gets hammered yet again, taking one on the chin in Washington against the Nationals 15-1.

Matt Wisler's miserable night began after he got two quick outs in the first inning. A walk to Bryce Harper (his first of four); Ryan Zimmerman doubled; Clint Robinson singled them both in, and the Nats led 2-0.

Problems just compounded for Wisler in the second. The Nats batted around, scoring five times and knocking him out of the game after just 1.2 innings. Atlanta's bullpen, to no one's surprise, fared no better. Andrew McKirahan failed to retire a batter in the third inning as the Nats plated three more, batting around again. Ross Detwiler gave up two more in the fifth, and Daniel Burawa was tagged for a pair in the sixth. Amidst all this madness was Ryan Kelly's 1.1 scoreless innings.

The final tally in this game was Danny Espinosa's home run in the eighth.

Atlanta scored their lone run without the benefit of a hit in the second inning. Jordan Zimmermann struggled early, walking three of the first five hitters, but the Braves managed a grand total of two…count 'em, TWO...hits in dropping their ninth straight.

Ryan Zimmerman stayed hot for the Nats with three hits and four RBI, scoring twice; Clint Robinson had a pair of hits and also had four RBI. Bryce Harper scored four times.

This was the sixth time this season the Braves had allowed at least 12 runs, and was already the fourth time since August 1.