MLB: Atlanta 4, Washington 0

ATLANTA, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Derek Lowe hurled eight shutout innings and the Atlanta Braves scored four second-inning runs Monday in a 4-0 win over Washington.

Lowe (13-12) scattered six hits, did not issue a walk and fanned a career-high 12, including his 1,500th career strikeout, leading the Braves to a key win. Atlanta entered the contest one game behind the first-place Phillies in the National League East, and were able to lengthen their NL wild-card lead over idle San Francisco and San Diego to 1 1/2 games.

Omar Infante contributed a pair of hits and an RBI and Nate McLouth chipped in with an RBI double in the second-inning outburst.

Nats starter Yuniesky Maya (0-2) was touched for four runs on five hits over six innings.

Washington absorbed a season-high sixth straight loss.