WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Adam Dunn smashed a pair of homers and drove in a total of five runs Friday in the Washington Nationals' 8-3 defeat of Atlanta.
Dunn hit a second-inning solo shot for the game's first run and then added a two-run blast in the third. His two-run single in the sixth iced the victory for Washington, which won the opener of a three-game set against the Braves.
Jordan Zimmermann (1-2) surrendered only one run on three hits in a five-inning start for the Nats.
Atlanta's loss was its fourth straight and moved the Braves seven games behind Philadelphia in the National League East. The Braves are tied with the San Diego Padres for the NL wild-card lead, 3 1/2 games ahead of Colorado and 6 1/2 ahead of St. Louis, pending the outcome of Friday's games.
The Phillies' magic number to clinch the division was reduced to two.
Omar Infante homered for the Braves.
