Instant analysis: Braves 3, Nats 2 (10)

Associated Press

Game in a nutshell: The Braves jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on Taylor Jordan, though it wasn't the rookie right-hander's fault. Both runs were unearned after errors by Wilson Ramos and Anthony Rendon. Jordan did well to keep the damage right there, departing after six innings. The Nationals then chipped away at the Braves pitching staff. They scored one run in the fourth on a double-play grounder. They plated the tying run in the eighth after some fireworks: Bryce Harper, who was plunked two weeks ago by Julio Teheran, was twice hit by pitches tonight, including an eighth-inning fastball in the upper back from Luis Avilan. The crowd of 35,663 gave Avilan as he walked off the field, warnings having been issued to both dugouts by the umpires. Jayson Werth then exacted some justice with a two-out, RBI single, tying the game and leaving the outcome in the hands of both bullpens. Craig Stammen did his job with two scoreless innings, but the Nationals couldn't push home the go-ahead run against Craig Kimbrel in the top of the ninth. In came Drew Storen for his first appearance since his recall from Class AAA Syracuse, and Storen came through with a scoreless inning that included a big strikeout of Evan Gattis. Ian Krol was given the ball for the bottom of the 10th, but his night didn't last long. Justin Upton crushed a 2-2 pitch over the left-field fence to end this one and send the Nationals to another crushing loss.

Hitting lowlight: As has so often been the case this season, the Nationals had a few opportunities to plate runs, and they squandered nearly all of them. They really missed their chance in the top of the ninth. Despite getting base hits from Wilson Ramos and Chad Tracy, the Nats couldn't get the go-ahead run home against Kimbrel. Steve Lombardozzi nearly grounded into a 3-6-1 double play, barely beating the throw to first. Denard Span then tapped a comebacker to end the inning and leave the leadoff hitter 0-for-5 on the night with three strikeouts, a popped-up bunt and the aforementioned groundout to the pitcher.

Pitching highlight: As was the case several times in the last two months, Jordan pitched well enough to win but wasn't helped by his lineup or his defense. The Nationals were charged with three errors in the game's first five innings, and two of those led directly to runs. So Jordan wound up without surrendering an earned run over his six innings, obviously a solid outing. This might be the last time we see him in 2013, though. With his total innings count at 142 (majors and minors combined), the Nationals may decide it's time to shut him down for the year. If so, Jordan will finish his abbreviated rookie campaign 1-3 with a 3.66 ERA in nine big-league starts. He still has some things to learn, but he certainly showed enough to warrant a shot at a spot in the 2014 rotation.

Key stat: Bryce Harper has now been hit by Braves pitchers three times in the last three games between these two teams.

Up next: The series continues at 7:05 p.m. Saturday when Stephen Strasburg takes the mound on the heels of his first career complete game. Strasburg will be opposed by left-hander Mike Minor.