Major League Baseball

Murphy's 4 RBIs leads Nationals past Braves 7-6

Published Aug. 14, 2016 12:33 a.m. ET

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WASHINGTON (AP) Daniel Murphy hit a two-run homer and drove in four runs, rookie Reynaldo Lopez pitched seven innings for his first major league win and the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 7-6 on Saturday night.

Trea Turner had three hits, including a homer and one of Washington's three triples. Ben Revere had the other two and drove in a run for the NL East leaders.

The Nationals played their fifth straight game without injured right fielder Bryce Harper and first without former closer Jonathan Papelbon, who was released before the game to make room on the roster for Lopez (1-1). The right-handed Lopez allowed one run and five hits.

Reliever Mark Melancon entered after the Braves scored twice in the ninth. He recorded the final three outs for his 33rd save.

Rob Whalen (1-1) surrendered six runs and six hits over five innings in his third big league start.