ATLANTA — Jordan Zimmermann turned in another dominant performance with two-hit ball over eight innings, Ian Desmond hit a two-run homer in the fourth and the Washington Nationals finally beat the Atlanta Braves, 2-0 Wednesday night.
The Braves had won five in a row this season over their NL East rival and nine straight dating back to last season.
Zimmermann (5-1) made sure that streak ended with another dominating performance, snapping a three-game losing streak that had knocked the Nationals under .500.
Atlanta starter Paul Maholm (3-3) nearly matched Zimmermann. He allowed only three hits in eight innings, retiring the last 13 batters he faced.
But Desmond provided all the runs that Washington needed, homering to left-center on a 1-1 pitch in the fourth after Bryce Harper led off with a walk.
PIRATES 6, BREWERS 4
MILWAUKEE — Starling Marte hit a tying two-run homer in the eighth inning, and Brandon Inge had a go-ahead RBI single to rally Pittsburgh to a victory over Milwaukee, snapping the Pirates’ nine-game losing streak against the Brewers.
Pedro Alvarez added a run-scoring single to cap a four-run eighth as Pittsburgh won for the 10th time in its last 15 games and ended Milwaukee’s eight-game home winning streak.
CARDINALS 4, REDS 2
ST. LOUIS — Lance Lynn won his 10th straight decision, allowing one run and five hits in seven innings to lead the Cardinals over the Reds.
Lynn (5-0) struck out five and walked two, improving to 10-0 in 10 starts and one relief appearing since losing to Milwaukee on Sept. 7.
METS 7, MARLINS 6
MIAMI — Jordany Valdespin hit a three-run, pinch-homer, and the Mets rallied Wednesday to break a six-game losing streak and avert a series sweep, beating the Marlins.
The Mets’ dormant offense finally came alive after they fell behind 4-1. Valdespin put New York ahead to stay in the sixth inning with his second homer, and NL RBIs leader John Buck added a two-run double in the seventh.
CUBS 6, PADRES 2
CHICAGO — Scott Feldman retired 18 straight on his way to his first career complete game, and the Cubs took advantage of former No. 1 pick Andrew Cashner’s wildness in a 6-2 win over the Padres.
Feldman (2-3) earned his second straight win, allowing two runs and three hits while walking one. After Chase Headley singled with two outs in the first, Feldman retired the next 18 batters.
GIANTS 9, D’BACKS 6
PHOENIX — Brandon Belt hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning, and the Giants rallied against Arizona’s bullpen for the third straight game, beating the Diamondbacks to complete a three-game sweep.
Belt hit a two-run single off Brad Ziegler in the opener and Pablo Sandoval hit a two-run homer off Arizona closer J.J. Putz on Tuesday.
ROCKIES 7, DODGERS 3
LOS ANGELES — Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez each hit two-run doubles, and center fielder Dexter Fowler robbed Adrian Gonzalez of what would have been his second home run of the game, leading the Rockies to a victory over the Dodgers.
