The Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 5:2 in a regular-season Major League Baseball match on Monday evening. The result extends a home stand for the hosts while putting a stop to Atlanta's momentum.
The Nationals had been riding a wave of runs lately, scoring nine and seven in their two previous outings before this one. The Braves, by contrast, had shown they could grind out narrow wins against tough opponents like the Dodgers and Rockies.
It was the Nationals who put the game to bed early, building a cushion that Atlanta could not claw back. Five runs is enough to make life difficult for any opposition, and the visitors had nothing to do all evening once the hosts found their rhythm.
Recent form tells you something about confidence. The Nationals have averaged over five runs in their last five games, while the Braves have been tighter, winning three of their last five but conceding heavily in one.
The scoreline reflects that difference in tempo. The Nationals held every card after their early surge, and the Braves could only watch from behind the rest of the way.
