MLB: Washington 7, Atlanta 4

ATLANTA, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Ryan Church hit a key three-run homer Sunday afternoon, as the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves, 7-4.

Church’s 12th homer this season put Washington ahead, 4-3, in the sixth, a lead the Nationals held until the end. Washington’s D’Angelo Jiminez had three hits and three RBI.

Ryan Zimmerman hit a solo homer in the ninth. Dmitri Young had two hits, and eight players had one hit each, as the Nationals averted a three-game sweep.

The winner was starter Jason Bergmann (4-5).

Closer Chad Cordero earned his 32nd save.

Atlanta’s Chipper Jones hit a two-run homer in the first. Mark Teixeira hit a solo homer and an RBI double -- and was the only Atlanta player with more than one hit -- as the Braves’ chances of making the NL playoffs dimmed.

The losing pitcher was starter Lance Cormier (2-5).