DJ Herz and CJ Abrams help the Nationals knock off the Braves 5-1

ATLANTA (AP) — DJ Herz struck out eight in five sparkling innings, and the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 5-1 on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.

CJ Abrams had two hits and two RBIs for Washington. Jacob Young also had two hits and scored two runs.

Herz allowed one hit — Orlando Arcia's second-inning single — and walked three in his 14th major league start. Jacob Barnes (8-2) pitched an inning for the win, and Kyle Finnegan got four outs for his 32nd save.

Herz had a rocky 27-pitch first inning, when walked two and hit a batter, but he settled down from there.

Matt Olson hit his 22nd homer for Atlanta, which had won six of seven. The Braves finished with three hits.