Braves Lose Game, Series To Nats

ATLANTA (AP) _ Light-hitting Justin Maxwell’s grand slam off

rookie Mike Minor in the second inning powered the last-place

Washington Nationals over Atlanta 4-2 Wednesday and sent the Braves

to only their second home series loss this season.

John Lannan (8-7) gave up two runs, eight hits and three walks

in six innings for the Nationals, who have won eight of 15 meetings

with the Braves this season.

Joel Peralta, Sean Burnett and Drew Storen combined for two-hit

relief, with Storen pitching a 1-2-3 ninth for his fourth save in

five chances.