Braves 5, Nationals 3

For the first time in June, the Braves won a game.

Horacio Ramirez (2-1, 3.24) pitched 8 solid innings, allowing 3 runs on 8 hits, a walk, and struck out 5. I thought that actually Bobby should have pinch-hit for him in the 6th, to get a shot to sort out bullpen roles, but it worked out okay. Horacio threw 117 pitches.

Ray got the save, pitching a perfect 9th with 2 strikeouts.

After Horacio gave up a first inning run, the Braves scored 2 in the 2nd. Giles hit a 2 out 2 run single, on which 1 of the runs turned out unearned because the ball got under Alfonso Soriano's glove, allowing Pena to score all the way from 1st.

LaRoche homered in the 3rd to make it 3-1, and the Braves added another in the 4th.

Soriano hit a 2 run homer in the 5th and that score remained until the 9th, when Andruw homered for an insurance run.

Offensive contributors: Andruw Jones was 2-4 with his 15th homer. Ryan Langerhans was 2-3 with a triple, a walk, and scored twice. Brayan Pena was 2-4 with an RBI and scored. Adam LaRoche was 1-4 with his 10th homer.

Smoltz will go on 3 days rest tomorrow against Ramon Ortiz.