Nationals again score first against the Braves (Nats win 2-1)

The Nationals and Braves wrap up their first matchup of the season on Sunday with right-hander Taylor Jordan facing left-hander Alex Wood. The Braves have won 15 of the last 21 games against the Nationals and are 9-2 in that span at Nationals Park.

The Nationals scored first and took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a base hit by Jayson Werth. Third baseman Anthony Rendon scored thanks to a throwing error by Braves second baseman Dan Uggla.

Manager Matt Williams used a challenge later in the inning when Ian Desmond was called out at first base. The ruling on the field was upheld on video replay.

Update: Jordan did a nice job of wiggling out of trouble in the fourth. The Braves managed to load the bases on two walks and a fielding error by Danny Espinosa. But Jordan was able to strike out Gerald Laird and induce a grounder by Andrelton Simmons which turned into a forceout at second to end the threat.

Update II: Uggla's sacrifice fly tied the game in the sixth at 1-1. Jordan then got Laird to fly out to left field to end the frame.

Update III: The Nationals regained a 2-1 lead after Desmond launched the first pitch from Wood in the seventh inning. He hit the homer deep into the left field stands for his second home run of the season.

Update IV: Rafael Soriano started the ninth by striking out Uggla. Then Laird popped up to Adam LaRoche for the second out. Simmons then hit a liner to deep short for a single. Pinch-hitter Ryan Doumit hit a grounder to second for another single, but Espinosa was playing deep in the hole on a shift and had no play. With two men on and two out, Jason Heyward struck out to end the game.

It is Soriano's first save of the season. The Nationals salvage the final game of the series, winning 2-1.

Jerry Blevins gets the win (1-0) and Wood gets tagged with the loss (1-1). The Nationals host the Marlins Tuesday night at Nats Park.