Cole struggles and leaves before end of 4th (Braves win 13-6)

ATLANTA - A fast start for both teams to begin play in game two.

Ryan Zimmerman slammed a two-run shot off of Braves starter Julio Teheran in the first. Zimmerman deposited a 1-1 pitch over the left field wall in the top of the first. The Nationals also enjoyed a RBI groundout courtesy of Bryce Harper.

The Braves quickly answered with four runs on three hits off of Nats starter A.J. Cole. The big blast a three-run shot by Preston Tucker.

After one, the Nats trailed for the first time this season, 4-3.

Cole helped his own cause with his first career home run in the second. The lofted fly ball went over the wall in left field to tie the game, 4-4.

In the bottom of the second, Cole allowed a three-run shot by Freddie Freeman. Atlanta has scored four runs in each inning. After two, the Nats face there largest deficit of the season, 8-4.

Update: Harper homered down the right field line in the top of the third, his fourth homer of the season. The Nats chased Teheran in the inning by loading the bases, but reliever Shane Carle managed to get Miguel Montero on a line out to right field and a strikeout of Cole.

Mid-third, Braves lead 8-5.

Update: Atlanta connects with three singles in a row in their half of the third against Cole. Chris Stewart RBI single pushed their lead to four runs. After three innings, the Braves lead 9-5.

Update: It got worse for Cole. He was lifted int he fourth after allowing another RBI single, this one from Dansby Swanson. Cole was lifted for Enny Romero with two outs, lasting only 3 2/3 innings. Cole allowed 10 runs on 10 hits with three walks and four strikeouts. His ERA is 24.55.

After four innings, the Braves lead 10-5.

Update: Three more hits and a Freeman RBI single for the Braves off of Romero in the fifth. After five innings, the Braves lead 11-5. Atlanta has 11 runs and 13 hits.

Update: Sammy Solis struck out the side in the seventh, hitting an impressive 95.8 mph with his fastball. But Trevor Gott allowed a two-run single to pinch-hitter Lane Adams in the eighth. The Braves led 13-5 after eight frames.

The Nats picked up a run in the ninth on a Howie Kendrick ground out.

Final score: Braves 13, Nats 6. It was the Nats first loss of the season.