Justin Upton, Braves beat Nats for 9th win in row

(AP) Justin Upton, Braves beat Nats for 9th win in row
By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer
WASHINGTON
Justin Upton and Andrelton Simmons homered, leading Paul Maholm and the Atlanta Braves past the Washington Nationals 9-0 Sunday for a three-game sweep and their ninth straight win.

Upton hit his seventh home run of the season. Chris Johnson had four hits and two RBIs for the Braves, who took a 7-0 lead in the third inning against Gio Gonzalez (1-1).

In sweeping their NL East rivals and compiling the best record in the major leagues, Atlanta (11-1) has outscored the opposition 62-23 and built a 20-6 advantage in home runs.

The Braves have swept three straight series (Cubs, Miami and Washington) for the first time since April 2000, when they swept four in a row (Phillies, Pirates, Dodgers, and Padres).

Maholm (3-0) pitched two-hit ball into the eighth inning.