Cole rebounds from early homer (Braves win 5-3 in 12)

Right-hander A.J. Cole allowed a home run on the fourth pitch of the game. Ozzie Albies hit a solo homer over the right-center field wall to give Atlanta the early lead.

Coming off an April 3 start in Atlanta in which he allowed 10 runs on 10 hits, there was cause for concern that a game like that was in the offing.

After that, Cole settled down and retired 8 of the next 9 batters he faced.

The Nationals were the victim of double plays in the first and second frames.

It marked only the third time in 12 games the Nats have not plated at least one run in the first inning.

Pedro Severino singled up the middle to begin the third off of Braves starter Brandon McCarthy. Cole got Severino in scoring position with a sacrifice bunt.

Trea Turner delivered a RBI single to left to get the Nats on the board. Bryce Harper struck out to end the inning.

After three, the Nats and the Braves are tied 1-1.

Update: Former Nats catcher Kurt Suzuki launched a solo homer off the left field foul pole to give Atlanta the lead. Cole has now allowed three hits, two of them homers. He surrendered two homers at SunTrust Park last week, as well. It was Suzuki's first homer of the season.

After four innings, the Braves lead the Nats 2-1.

Update II: Cole went 5 1/3 innings, allowed two runs on three hits, two walks and struck out five. He threw 76 pitches, 47 for strikes. McCarthy lasted five innings, giving up one run on four hits, with two walks and three strikeouts. He threw 61 pitches, 37 for strikes.

Mid-sixth in D.C., the Braves lead the Nats 2-1.

Update III: Nats had a good chance to score the tying run in the seventh bu came up empty. Matt Adams reached against Braves reliever Dan Winkler courtesy a hit by pitch. After a two-out walk to Severino, pinch-hitter Wilmer Difo singled to left field and Adams attempted to score from second base. He was thrown out by Preston Tucker and tagged out by Suzuki.

After seven innings, the Braves lead the Nats 2-1.

Update IV: The Nats tied it off of closer Arodys Vizcaíno in the bottom of the ninth on a solo homer Adams to deep center field. With two outs, Michael A. Taylor singled and went to second on a throwing error on an attempted pickoff by Vizcaíno, then moved to third on wild pitch. Severino grounded out to second base to send the game in extra innings.

After nine, the Braves and Nats are tied 2-2.

Update V: Facing Sean Doolittle in the top of the 10th, Suzuki stepped in the box with runners at second and third and two outs. Ender Inciarte attempted to steal home and was tagged out by Severino. The play was reviewed and confirmed by replay.

Mid-10th, the game is tied 2-2.

Update VI: Suzuki homered for the second time in the game, leading off the 11th against Shawn Kelley. After Preston Tucker and Dansby Swanson doubled, Kelley struck out the side.

In the bottom of the 11th facing Shane Carle, Harper singled to right, Rendon grounded out to third and Adams struck out.

Howie Kendrick doubled to left-center field to scored Harper, tying the game at 3-3.

Taylor lined out to shortstop to end the inning.

After 11 innings, the game is tied 3-3.

Update VII: In the 12th, Ryan Madson allowed a two-run single to Peter Bourjos.

The Nats went three up and three down against Carle in the bottom of the 12th.

Final score: Braves 5, Nats 3 in 12 innings.