Nationals 6, Pirates 2
Gio Gonzalez overcame a rocky start, including a home run to Starling Marte, to beat the Pirates and ensure Washington a winning road trip to Atlanta and Pittsburgh.
Gonzalez (3-2) pitched six innings, allowing two runs. Wandy Rodriguez (2-2) gave up three, striking out seven in six innings.
Tyler Moore broke the game open with a three run homer in the eighth, allowing Washington the breathing room without the need for ninth inning heroics.
Washington now trails Atlanta by two games in the NL East.
Braves 9, Mets 4
Tim Hudson won his fourth game for Atlanta as Freddie Freeman homered and drove in three runs and Brian McCann returned to the Braves lineup.
Jonathon Niese allowed six walks for the Mets, who split the abbreviated series in Atlanta.
The Braves, who face Cincinnati Monday with Paul Maholm on the mound, pounded out 12 hits in an offensive explosion not seen during their recent three game losing streak.
Marlins 14, Phillies 2
Kevin Slowey got his first win in three seasons and Adeiny Hechavarria belted a grand slam to stall the Philadelphia Phillies’ ascent up the NL East standings with a 14-2 rout Sunday.
After the game, Roy Halladay acknowledged a sore shoulder that would almost certainly send him to the disabled list after the game.
Slowey, on the other hand, pitched seven innings of shutout ball, earning his first win in his last 22 appearances.
Philadelphia’s Carlos Ruiz went 0-for-2, bringing his total to 2-for-20 since returning from a 25 game amphetamine suspension.