Loss To Nationals Drops Braves Record to 0-6 For First Time Since 1988

WASHINGTON (AP) – Falling to 0-6 for the first time in nearly 30 years, the Atlanta Braves lost 6-4 to the Washington Nationals, who used Wilson Ramos’ four singles and two RBIs to help cover up a shaky start by Max Scherzer on Monday night.

Scherzer (1-0), pitching on a full week’s rest, won despite allowing two-run doubles to A.J. Pierzynski and Nick Markakis in the first two innings. The righty wound up going six innings and didn’t let Atlanta score again in front of a sparse crowd announced as 18,119.

Ramos drove in the go-ahead run off Bud Norris (0-2) in the fifth, breaking a 4-all tie, and added insurance with an RBI single off Alexi Ogando in the seventh.

Daniel Murphy hit a two-run shot off Norris in the first. He is hitting .471 with two homers and seven RBIs in the first season of a $37.5 million, three-year contract.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Mallex Smith had an eventful major league debut Monday night after being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett, getting his first hit but leaving after getting cut on the face while being thrown out trying to steal second base.

In the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals, Smith was cut above the left eye when his batting helmet flew off, bounced off the turf and smacked him in the face as he slid on the attempted steal. Catcher Wilson Ramos threw him out.

The Braves listed Smith’s status as day to day.

Atlanta didn’t exactly ease Smith into things when bringing him up from the minors. He immediately was put in the starting lineup.

In his first at-bat, Smith struck out on three pitches.

In the second inning, he reached on an infield single and eventually came around to score his first MLB run.

In the fourth inning, he reached on a fielder’s choice.

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