The Atlanta Braves are off to an MLB-best 18-8 start. Their primary competition, however, has floundered.

The Atlanta Braves defeated the Washington Nationals 7-2 to finish 6-1 on their road trip. They still haven't lost a series this season.

Atlanta Braves rookie pitcher JR Ritchie threw seven innings and allowed two runs in his MLB debut against the Washington Nationals.

The Braves' Jorge Mateo has rebounded from injuries and a statistical decline with the Orioles to provide depth for Atlanta. He has one error in 31 chances at shortstop.

The right-handed pitcher was a first-round pick of the Braves in 2022 and is considered the organization’s No. 2 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.

The Braves downed the Washington Nationals 8-6 Wednesday night.

Didier Fuentes was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to start for Braves on Wednesday against the Nationals. He’s Atlanta's No. 3 overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.

Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider was excellent in his second rehab outing, striking out eight Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp hitters over 4⅓ innings.

The Braves' winning streak ends at six after a loss to the Nationals.

Former Atlanta Braves minor leaguer Jonathan Matos Morales is charged with vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash involving death, Florida Highway Patrol says.