Bryce Elder strikes out 6 in 6 2/3 and the Braves win 6th straight with 9-4 victory over Nationals

By: The Associated Press Posted: 8:43 PM CDT Monday, Apr. 20, 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Olson had three RBIs, Bryce Elder struck out six in 6 2/3 innings and the Atlanta Braves won their sixth straight game with a 9-4 victory over the Washington Nationals on Monday night.

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Drake Baldwin added two RBIs, and Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris II, Dominic Smith and Eli White each had an RBI for Atlanta.

Ronald Acuña Jr. was hit by a pitch in the fourth and sixth innings before leaving in the bottom of the sixth. The Braves said X-rays were negative and Acuña was day to day.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Bryce Elder throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, April 20, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)

Olson’s two-run homer over the center-field wall tied it at 2-all in the fourth. Olson added an RBI on a sacrifice fly in the ninth for a five-run lead.

Atlanta broke it open with five runs in the sixth.

Atlanta chased Washington starter Jake Irvin in the sixth after a fielding error and a hit batter. Washington reliever PJ Poulin came in and threw a wild pitch, and then Baldwin drove in two on a double down the left-field line to put Atlanta ahead for good at 4-3.

Albies and Harris hit back-to-back RBI singles in the sixth and Smith followed with an RBI on a fielder’s choice to make it 7-3.

Atlanta has won 10 of its last 12 games.

Elder (3-1), who entered leading the National League with a 0.77 ERA through four starts this season, allowed four runs, three earned.

Irvin (1-3) allowed four runs, three earned, in five innings of work.

Daylen Lile homered for Washington and Jacob Young had a two-run single to open the scoring in the first.

Up next

The four-game series — and the second of 13 matchups between the teams this season — continues on Tuesday with Atlanta RHP Reynaldo Lopez (1-0, 2.18 ERA) going against Washington LHP Foster Griffin (2-0, 3.05). The Nationals are in a stretch of 17 games in 17 days with the next off day April 27.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb