The Braves' march to the NL East title continued Thursday with a 4-2 win over the Nationals.

It's Atlanta's seventh straight win.

Left-hander Max Fried was brilliant, yielding only one hit and striking out nine in seven shutout innings. Ronald Acuna Jr. keyed the offense with a solo Kenley Jansen Jersey home run and a pair of runs scored.

Oppo bomb for Ronald Acua Jr. who needs just three more for 40 homers. Hes 21.

Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis)

It was the 21-year-old's 37th home run of the season. According to , only three players have hit more home runs in a season before age 22:Hall of Famers Eddie Mathews, who hit 47, Mel Ott (42), and Frank Robinson (38).

The win gives Atlanta (87-54) an eight-game lead over the second-place Nationals (78-61) in the NL East. The Braves' seat atop the division has never seemed in Fernando Valenzuela Jersey danger since the All-Star break. The Braves have had a consistently "safe"lead of around five toseven games throughout the second half.

Now, they have a chance to i sue a death blow to their closest rivals, the Nationals and Phillies.Thursday's matchup with the Nationals wasthe first of 14 straight games the Braves have with Washington and Philadelphia that will see them play home and away series against each team through Sept. 19. The Phillies are on the verge of elimination in the division race, but are still just four games back in the wild-card race. The Nationals have a two-game lead in the wild-card chase.

Studs of the night

Kyle Schwarber's grand slam highlighted a five-run sixth inning as the Cubs beat the Brewers 10-5.

Pirates outfielder Ross Stripling Jersey Bryan Reynolds had two home runs and drove in three runsin a 10-7 lo s to the Marlins. Speaking of hot rookies, Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette also had two homers and three RBIs Thursday,in a 6-4 lo s to the Rays.

Mariners Austin Nola and Kyle Seager both had a pair of home runs against the Astros.

Athletics shortstopMarcus Semien was a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate and scored three runs in a 10-6 win against the Angels.

Dud of the night

Giants starter Logan Webb got touched for seven earned runs in 2 2/3 A. J. Pollock Jersey innings in a 10-0 lo s to the Cardinals.

Highlights

After 13 innings, Michael Brantley says, "Enough!" and wins the game for the Astros with a walk-off homer against the Mariners.

Michael Brantley's homer in the 13th walks it off for the Astros after once being down 7-0(via )

SI MLB (@si_mlb)

Marlins left-hander Brian Moran made his MLB debut Thursday, and he picked up his first strikeout against a familiar face his younger brother, Pirates third baseman Colin Moran. According to Elias Sports Bureau, it's the first time since Enrique Hernandez Jersey 1900 a brother has faced his brother in a pitcher vs. batter matchup in his MLB debut.

Brian Moran just recorded his first MLB strikeout, and it was against his younger brother, Colin(via )

SI MLB (@si_mlb)

Phillip Ervin sticks a dagger in the Phillies' hearts with this walk-off shot for the Redsin the 11th.

WE BELIEVE IN THE MAGIC MAN Phillip Ervin walks it off to Yasmani Grandal Jersey win it for the in the 11th!

FOX Sports Ohio (@FOXSportsOH) What's Next

Yankees (92-49) at Red Sox (75-65), 7:10 p.m. ET It's the Yankees and Red Sox in September, although this one doesn't seem so specialwith Boston on the verge of elimination in the AL East, and longshots at this point to even win a wild-card spot. Yankees starter Domingo Germn (17-3, 4.01) still has a goodshot at 20 victories.

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