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Lyon beats PSG 2-1, gives Lens renewed hope in Ligue 1 title race  Brazil forward Endrick scored one goal and created another as Lyon won 2-1 against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to go third in Ligue 1 and boost its chances of Champions League qualification.PSG’s fifth league defeat of the season left it one point ahead of second-placed Lens, with PSG having a game in hand. But PSG still has to travel to Lens in May, after the league postponed their game on April 11 due to PSG’s involvement in the Champions League.Coach Paulo Fonseca’s Lyon leads fourth-placed Lille on goal difference with the top three gaining direct entry to the Champions League and the side in fourth entering qualifying.Endrick responds in styleFonseca recently criticised Endrick following some mediocre performances and benched him against Lorient last weekend. Endrick came on and played a part in both goals in a 2-0 win.He gave Lyon the lead on Sunday in the sixth minute. The livewire 19-year-old made a clever run behind the PSG defence to meet Afonso Moreira’s pass and score with a crisp shot past goalkeeper Matvei Safonov.Lyon hit PSG with a classic counterattack in the 18th as Endrick sent Moreira clean through from halfway and the 21-year-old Portuguese forward hit a low shot into the left corner.PSG striker Gonçalo Ramos had a penalty saved by Lyon goalkeeper Dominik Greif in the 33rd. Moments later PSG midfielder Vitinha limped off with a right ankle injury.Safonov kept out a curler from Moreira in the second half.Moreira was outstanding cutting in from the left flank and pushed his case for a first callup to the Portugal side. PSG midfielder Fabián Ruiz came on late in the game for his first appearance in three months following a knee injury.Khvicha Kvaratskhelia pulled a goal back four minutes into stoppage time with a curler from 20 meters out, but Lyon was a worthy winner and PSG coach Luis Enrique hugged Fonseca.Monaco draws with Auxerre; Metz slids closer to relegationBalogun’s run American forward Folarin Balogun scored for the eighth straight league game as Monaco rallied to draw 2-2 with Auxerre.Seventh-placed Monaco is one of several sides chasing a Champions League place next season.Balogun equalised with a penalty in the 59th after being knocked over by goalkeeper Donovan Léon. Former Barcelona midfielder Ansu Fati got Monaco’s other goal with a low drive from the edge of the penalty area three minutes earlier.Midfielder Kévin Danois and striker Lassine Sinayoko had put Auxerre 2-0 up.Monaco is three points behind fifth-placed Rennes, which won 3-0 at Strasbourg, and two behind Marseille in sixth. Marseille lost 2-0 at Lorient on Saturday, prompting a scathing attack on the players from the club’s sporting director.Auxerre is in 16th place, the relegation-promotion playoff spot against the side finishing third in Ligue 2.Lepaul scores again Esteban Lepaul opened the scoring for Rennes and moved top of the Ligue 1 charts with 17 goals.Lepaul’s headed flick on set up striker Breel Embolo for 2-0 and Jordan’s Mousa Al-Tamari netted the third as Rennes won its seventh match in nine games.Rock-bottom Metz slid closer to relegation after losing 3-1 at home to Paris FC and 17th-placed Nantes conceded deep into stoppage time in a 1-1 home draw with Brest.In Friday’s game, Lens rallied from 2-0 down to beat Toulouse 3-2Published on Apr 20, 2026  #Lyon #beats #PSG #Lens #renewed #hope #Ligue #title #race

Lyon beats PSG 2-1, gives Lens renewed hope in Ligue 1 title race

Brazil forward Endrick scored one goal and created another as Lyon won 2-1 against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to go third in Ligue 1 and boost its chances of Champions League qualification.

PSG’s fifth league defeat of the season left it one point ahead of second-placed Lens, with PSG having a game in hand. But PSG still has to travel to Lens in May, after the league postponed their game on April 11 due to PSG’s involvement in the Champions League.

Coach Paulo Fonseca’s Lyon leads fourth-placed Lille on goal difference with the top three gaining direct entry to the Champions League and the side in fourth entering qualifying.

Endrick responds in style

Fonseca recently criticised Endrick following some mediocre performances and benched him against Lorient last weekend. Endrick came on and played a part in both goals in a 2-0 win.

He gave Lyon the lead on Sunday in the sixth minute. The livewire 19-year-old made a clever run behind the PSG defence to meet Afonso Moreira’s pass and score with a crisp shot past goalkeeper Matvei Safonov.

Lyon hit PSG with a classic counterattack in the 18th as Endrick sent Moreira clean through from halfway and the 21-year-old Portuguese forward hit a low shot into the left corner.

PSG striker Gonçalo Ramos had a penalty saved by Lyon goalkeeper Dominik Greif in the 33rd. Moments later PSG midfielder Vitinha limped off with a right ankle injury.

Safonov kept out a curler from Moreira in the second half.

Moreira was outstanding cutting in from the left flank and pushed his case for a first callup to the Portugal side. PSG midfielder Fabián Ruiz came on late in the game for his first appearance in three months following a knee injury.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia pulled a goal back four minutes into stoppage time with a curler from 20 meters out, but Lyon was a worthy winner and PSG coach Luis Enrique hugged Fonseca.

Monaco draws with Auxerre; Metz slids closer to relegation

Balogun’s run American forward Folarin Balogun scored for the eighth straight league game as Monaco rallied to draw 2-2 with Auxerre.

Seventh-placed Monaco is one of several sides chasing a Champions League place next season.

Balogun equalised with a penalty in the 59th after being knocked over by goalkeeper Donovan Léon. Former Barcelona midfielder Ansu Fati got Monaco’s other goal with a low drive from the edge of the penalty area three minutes earlier.

Midfielder Kévin Danois and striker Lassine Sinayoko had put Auxerre 2-0 up.

Monaco is three points behind fifth-placed Rennes, which won 3-0 at Strasbourg, and two behind Marseille in sixth. Marseille lost 2-0 at Lorient on Saturday, prompting a scathing attack on the players from the club’s sporting director.

Auxerre is in 16th place, the relegation-promotion playoff spot against the side finishing third in Ligue 2.

Lepaul scores again Esteban Lepaul opened the scoring for Rennes and moved top of the Ligue 1 charts with 17 goals.

Lepaul’s headed flick on set up striker Breel Embolo for 2-0 and Jordan’s Mousa Al-Tamari netted the third as Rennes won its seventh match in nine games.

Rock-bottom Metz slid closer to relegation after losing 3-1 at home to Paris FC and 17th-placed Nantes conceded deep into stoppage time in a 1-1 home draw with Brest.

In Friday’s game, Lens rallied from 2-0 down to beat Toulouse 3-2

Published on Apr 20, 2026

#Lyon #beats #PSG #Lens #renewed #hope #Ligue #title #race

Brazil forward Endrick scored one goal and created another as Lyon won 2-1 against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to go third in Ligue 1 and boost its chances of Champions League qualification.

PSG’s fifth league defeat of the season left it one point ahead of second-placed Lens, with PSG having a game in hand. But PSG still has to travel to Lens in May, after the league postponed their game on April 11 due to PSG’s involvement in the Champions League.

Coach Paulo Fonseca’s Lyon leads fourth-placed Lille on goal difference with the top three gaining direct entry to the Champions League and the side in fourth entering qualifying.

Endrick responds in style

Fonseca recently criticised Endrick following some mediocre performances and benched him against Lorient last weekend. Endrick came on and played a part in both goals in a 2-0 win.

He gave Lyon the lead on Sunday in the sixth minute. The livewire 19-year-old made a clever run behind the PSG defence to meet Afonso Moreira’s pass and score with a crisp shot past goalkeeper Matvei Safonov.

Lyon hit PSG with a classic counterattack in the 18th as Endrick sent Moreira clean through from halfway and the 21-year-old Portuguese forward hit a low shot into the left corner.

PSG striker Gonçalo Ramos had a penalty saved by Lyon goalkeeper Dominik Greif in the 33rd. Moments later PSG midfielder Vitinha limped off with a right ankle injury.

Safonov kept out a curler from Moreira in the second half.

Moreira was outstanding cutting in from the left flank and pushed his case for a first callup to the Portugal side. PSG midfielder Fabián Ruiz came on late in the game for his first appearance in three months following a knee injury.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia pulled a goal back four minutes into stoppage time with a curler from 20 meters out, but Lyon was a worthy winner and PSG coach Luis Enrique hugged Fonseca.

Monaco draws with Auxerre; Metz slids closer to relegation

Balogun’s run American forward Folarin Balogun scored for the eighth straight league game as Monaco rallied to draw 2-2 with Auxerre.

Seventh-placed Monaco is one of several sides chasing a Champions League place next season.

Balogun equalised with a penalty in the 59th after being knocked over by goalkeeper Donovan Léon. Former Barcelona midfielder Ansu Fati got Monaco’s other goal with a low drive from the edge of the penalty area three minutes earlier.

Midfielder Kévin Danois and striker Lassine Sinayoko had put Auxerre 2-0 up.

Monaco is three points behind fifth-placed Rennes, which won 3-0 at Strasbourg, and two behind Marseille in sixth. Marseille lost 2-0 at Lorient on Saturday, prompting a scathing attack on the players from the club’s sporting director.

Auxerre is in 16th place, the relegation-promotion playoff spot against the side finishing third in Ligue 2.

Lepaul scores again Esteban Lepaul opened the scoring for Rennes and moved top of the Ligue 1 charts with 17 goals.

Lepaul’s headed flick on set up striker Breel Embolo for 2-0 and Jordan’s Mousa Al-Tamari netted the third as Rennes won its seventh match in nine games.

Rock-bottom Metz slid closer to relegation after losing 3-1 at home to Paris FC and 17th-placed Nantes conceded deep into stoppage time in a 1-1 home draw with Brest.

In Friday’s game, Lens rallied from 2-0 down to beat Toulouse 3-2

Published on Apr 20, 2026

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Deadspin | Hector Herrera, Dynamo deal another shutout loss to Orlando City <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28762984.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28762984.jpg" alt="MLS: Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 18, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Houston Dynamo FC midfielder Guilherme Santos (20) dribbles the ball against Orlando City SC midfielder Eduard Atuesta (20) during the first half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Hector Herrera’s goal in the 75th minute broke a scoreless stalemate and lifted the Houston Dynamo to a 1-0 victory over host Orlando City SC on Saturday night.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Herrera’s first goal of the season gave Houston (3-4-0, 9 points) its second consecutive victory across all competitions but snapped a three-match losing streak in MLS play. The Dynamo won their first game ever at Orlando, their first road win this season and secured three vital points as they try to avoid falling out of contention early.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>It was Houston’s first shutout win in league play since Sept. 20, 2025, against Portland.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Orlando City (1-6-1, 4 points) is winless in its past four league games and has scored only one goal over that span. The Lions were blanked for the fourth time this season.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Herrera kicked home a rebound after a shot by Ezequiel Ponce was blocked by Orlando goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau. The scoring chance was created by a great advance downfield by Lawrence Ennali, who split Orlando’s defenders and put a close-range shot on goal that Crepeau also deflected.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>Dynamo goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer entered the game after halftime in relief of starter Jonathan Bond and made a huge save in the second half to keep the game scoreless.</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>In the 66th minute, Orlando’s Braian Ojeda fired a corner kick in front of the goal that almost found the mark. Iago Teodoro’s attempt was blocked. Martin Ojeda then had another putback attempt blocked by a Dynamo defender to keep the game scoreless.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Orlando City’s other great chance came just before halftime when Tyrese Spicer delivered a long, accurate cross that traveled right in front of Bond. Tiago came sliding in and fired the ball quickly, but it hit the crossbar and ricocheted away.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>It was one of multiple chances before the half for Orlando that didn’t find the mark.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Houston had only one official shot on target in the first half but ended up with a 6-3 edge in that department by game’s end and outshot Orlando 19-17. Crepeau finished with four saves while Bond and Maurer combined for three saves.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Hector #Herrera #Dynamo #deal #shutout #loss #Orlando #City

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Deadspin | Carles Gil’s PK in 85th minute lifts Revs over Crew <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28763026.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28763026.jpg" alt="MLS: Columbus Crew at New England Revolution" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 18, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Columbus Crew defender Steven Moreira (31) and New England Revolution forward Dor Turgeman (11) work for the ball in the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Carles Gil converted a penalty kick in the 85th minute to give the New England Revolution a 2-1 win over the Columbus Crew on Saturday in Foxborough, Mass.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Three minutes before Gil’s goal, Crew defender Rudy Camacho pulled Dor Turgeman to the ground in the box to draw the penalty. A video review confirmed the foul, and Gil then buried the shot for his first goal of the season and the 50th of his Revolution career.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Max Arfsten gave Columbus (1-4-3, 6 points) the early lead in the 25th minute, but Turgeman sparked New England’s comeback with an equalizer in the 54th minute.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Revolution (4-3-0, 12 points) are 4-0-0 at home this season, outscoring opponents by a 12-2 margin in Foxborough.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-5"> <p>The loss ended the Crew’s two-match (1-0-1) unbeaten streak in regular-season play, and a long stretch of road success against the Revs. The Crew hadn’t lost in their previous five visits to New England (3-0-2), dating back to the 2021 season.</p> </section> <section id="section-6"> <p>In the 25th minute, Revs goaltender Matt Turner dove in an attempt to cut off Diego Rossi’s cross, but Arfsten corralled the loose ball at the other end of the box. Arfsten then held the ball while defender Andrew Farrell slid by, and converted the finish for his second goal of the season before Patrick Schulte could get back in position.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Turgeman responded with his second goal in the 54th minute, breaking open what had been a quiet game for New England’s attack. Luca Langoni’s free kick found Turgeman in the middle of the box for a header that snuck inside the near post.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>After Gil’s go-ahead goal, Camacho just missed a chance to atone for his earlier mistake. Two minutes into the 10 minutes of second-half stoppage time, Camacho had a close-range shot that deflected off the goalpost.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Revolution defender Brayan Ceballos left in the 17th minute with an apparent lower-body injury. Peyton Miller substituted into the match in Ceballos’ place.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-10"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Carles #Gils #85th #minute #lifts #Revs #Crew

Ben Shelton said he had laid down a claycourt marker for U.S. men ​with his Munich Open win on Sunday after ‌the world number six became the first ​American to claim an event ⁠above the ATP 250 level since Andre Agassi’s 2002 Rome Masters triumph.

Shelton’s 6-2, 7-5 win over Flavio Cobolli ‌also made him the fifth American this century to bag a claycourt ‌title outside the United States, joining Agassi, ‌Andy ⁠Roddick, Sam Querrey and Sebastian Korda.

The ⁠23-year-old said the “huge” triumph underlined his ambitions before the French Open, which begins on May 24.

“Moving forward I have ​big ambitions for ‌the claycourts, a surface I want to get better on each year. It’s become one of my favourite surfaces to play on,” ‌Shelton said.

While the American women have had ​plenty of success on the sport’s slowest surface, with Coco Gauff winning ⁠the French Open crown last year, the attention will now turn to whether the U.S. men ‌can leave their own mark in Paris.

With Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe making the Roland Garros quarter-finals last year, Shelton said things were looking up as American men aim to end a Grand Slam drought going back ‌to 2003 when Roddick won the hardcourt U.S. Open.

“Success ​on clay is coming back,” he added. “I’m looking forward to being part of ⁠this progression of U.S. men’s tennis on clay.

“On ⁠the women’s side, they have a lockdown as they won the French Open ‌last year. We as men have some more to do but we’re heading in ​the right direction.”

Published on Apr 20, 2026

#Munich #Open #win #fuel #hopes #U.S #mens #clay #revival #Ben #Shelton">Munich Open — My win will fuel hopes of U.S. men’s clay revival, says Ben Shelton  Ben Shelton said he had laid down a claycourt marker for U.S. men ​with his Munich Open win on Sunday after ‌the world number six became the first ​American to claim an event ⁠above the ATP 250 level since Andre Agassi’s 2002 Rome Masters triumph.Shelton’s 6-2, 7-5 win over Flavio Cobolli ‌also made him the fifth American this century to bag a claycourt ‌title outside the United States, joining Agassi, ‌Andy ⁠Roddick, Sam Querrey and Sebastian Korda.The ⁠23-year-old said the “huge” triumph underlined his ambitions before the French Open, which begins on May 24.“Moving forward I have ​big ambitions for ‌the claycourts, a surface I want to get better on each year. It’s become one of my favourite surfaces to play on,” ‌Shelton said.While the American women have had ​plenty of success on the sport’s slowest surface, with Coco Gauff winning ⁠the French Open crown last year, the attention will now turn to whether the U.S. men ‌can leave their own mark in Paris.With Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe making the Roland Garros quarter-finals last year, Shelton said things were looking up as American men aim to end a Grand Slam drought going back ‌to 2003 when Roddick won the hardcourt U.S. Open.“Success ​on clay is coming back,” he added. “I’m looking forward to being part of ⁠this progression of U.S. men’s tennis on clay.“On ⁠the women’s side, they have a lockdown as they won the French Open ‌last year. We as men have some more to do but we’re heading in ​the right direction.”Published on Apr 20, 2026  #Munich #Open #win #fuel #hopes #U.S #mens #clay #revival #Ben #Shelton

Deadspin | Inconsistent Nationals face challenge in surging Braves  Apr 10, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II (23) celebrates after a two-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians in the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
   The Washington Nationals will try to cool off Michael Harris II and the surging Atlanta Braves when the teams open a four-game series on Monday night.  The visiting Braves have won five straight and 9 of 11 following a 4-2 win at the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday night.  Washington salvaged the finale of a three-game series against the visiting San Francisco Giants with a 3-0 shutout on Sunday.  The Nationals will send right-hander Jake Irvin (1-2, 6.16 ERA) against Braves righty Bryce Elder (2-1, 0.77) in the opener.  Irvin lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 in his last start on Wednesday, working five innings and giving up two runs on four hits. He settled in after allowing both runs in the first inning and retired 13 of the final 16 batters he faced.  “Just making sure we kept guys off-balance, making sure we weren’t making it too easy for them,” Irvin said.  Irvin is 2-2 with a 3.79 ERA in seven career starts versus Atlanta since 2023.  Last time out, Elder did not allow a run in collecting a 6-3 home win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. He yielded four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.  Elder is 2-2 with a 3.03 ERA in 38 2/3 innings over six career starts against the Nationals since 2022.   Harris homered and had three hits as Atlanta rallied from a 2-0 deficit to complete the three-game sweep at Philadelphia. Ozzie Albies had an RBI double for the Braves, who outscored the Phillies 16-3 in the series.  Harris has six hits in his last seven at-bats with two walks, two homers and four runs, raising his average to .290. He has three home runs this season when hitting ninth in the batting order.  “Maybe they pitch me differently in the ninth spot because I’ve got (Ronald Acuna Jr.) behind me, but just try to go up there and be myself and get the job done,” Harris said after the game.  In Washington on Sunday, three pitchers combined to shut out the Giants. Opener PJ Poulin left with two outs in the first, Miles Mikolas tossed four scoreless innings and left-hander Andrew Alvarez, called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Rochester, pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the win.  “Knew (Alvarez) could give us some length,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said. “Knew he could give our bullpen a well-deserved rest given what we’re in now, 17 (days of games) in a row and that went as perfectly as it could have. All those guys threw the ball extremely well.”  Curtis Mead smacked a two-run homer and Keibert Ruiz had two hits, an RBI and a run for Washington. The Nationals — including Mead — bounced back from a day of physical and mental mistakes in a 7-6, 12-inning loss to the Giants on Saturday. Mead was tagged out running to third base standing up instead of sliding.  “Really happy for him,” Butera said of Mead. “We had some good conversations today about (Saturday’s) game and some of the mistakes we made — not just Curtis but as a group — and (good) to see them learn from them and flush them, be ready to go today. Happy for Curtis. That was a huge home run he hit there.”  Atlanta took the season series 9-4 in 2025.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Inconsistent #Nationals #face #challenge #surging #BravesApr 10, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II (23) celebrates after a two-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians in the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Washington Nationals will try to cool off Michael Harris II and the surging Atlanta Braves when the teams open a four-game series on Monday night.

The visiting Braves have won five straight and 9 of 11 following a 4-2 win at the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday night.

Washington salvaged the finale of a three-game series against the visiting San Francisco Giants with a 3-0 shutout on Sunday.

The Nationals will send right-hander Jake Irvin (1-2, 6.16 ERA) against Braves righty Bryce Elder (2-1, 0.77) in the opener.

Irvin lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 in his last start on Wednesday, working five innings and giving up two runs on four hits. He settled in after allowing both runs in the first inning and retired 13 of the final 16 batters he faced.

“Just making sure we kept guys off-balance, making sure we weren’t making it too easy for them,” Irvin said.

Irvin is 2-2 with a 3.79 ERA in seven career starts versus Atlanta since 2023.

Last time out, Elder did not allow a run in collecting a 6-3 home win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. He yielded four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.


Elder is 2-2 with a 3.03 ERA in 38 2/3 innings over six career starts against the Nationals since 2022.

Harris homered and had three hits as Atlanta rallied from a 2-0 deficit to complete the three-game sweep at Philadelphia. Ozzie Albies had an RBI double for the Braves, who outscored the Phillies 16-3 in the series.

Harris has six hits in his last seven at-bats with two walks, two homers and four runs, raising his average to .290. He has three home runs this season when hitting ninth in the batting order.

“Maybe they pitch me differently in the ninth spot because I’ve got (Ronald Acuna Jr.) behind me, but just try to go up there and be myself and get the job done,” Harris said after the game.

In Washington on Sunday, three pitchers combined to shut out the Giants. Opener PJ Poulin left with two outs in the first, Miles Mikolas tossed four scoreless innings and left-hander Andrew Alvarez, called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Rochester, pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the win.

“Knew (Alvarez) could give us some length,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said. “Knew he could give our bullpen a well-deserved rest given what we’re in now, 17 (days of games) in a row and that went as perfectly as it could have. All those guys threw the ball extremely well.”

Curtis Mead smacked a two-run homer and Keibert Ruiz had two hits, an RBI and a run for Washington. The Nationals — including Mead — bounced back from a day of physical and mental mistakes in a 7-6, 12-inning loss to the Giants on Saturday. Mead was tagged out running to third base standing up instead of sliding.

“Really happy for him,” Butera said of Mead. “We had some good conversations today about (Saturday’s) game and some of the mistakes we made — not just Curtis but as a group — and (good) to see them learn from them and flush them, be ready to go today. Happy for Curtis. That was a huge home run he hit there.”

Atlanta took the season series 9-4 in 2025.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Inconsistent #Nationals #face #challenge #surging #Braves">Deadspin | Inconsistent Nationals face challenge in surging Braves  Apr 10, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II (23) celebrates after a two-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians in the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
   The Washington Nationals will try to cool off Michael Harris II and the surging Atlanta Braves when the teams open a four-game series on Monday night.  The visiting Braves have won five straight and 9 of 11 following a 4-2 win at the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday night.  Washington salvaged the finale of a three-game series against the visiting San Francisco Giants with a 3-0 shutout on Sunday.  The Nationals will send right-hander Jake Irvin (1-2, 6.16 ERA) against Braves righty Bryce Elder (2-1, 0.77) in the opener.  Irvin lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 in his last start on Wednesday, working five innings and giving up two runs on four hits. He settled in after allowing both runs in the first inning and retired 13 of the final 16 batters he faced.  “Just making sure we kept guys off-balance, making sure we weren’t making it too easy for them,” Irvin said.  Irvin is 2-2 with a 3.79 ERA in seven career starts versus Atlanta since 2023.  Last time out, Elder did not allow a run in collecting a 6-3 home win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. He yielded four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.  Elder is 2-2 with a 3.03 ERA in 38 2/3 innings over six career starts against the Nationals since 2022.   Harris homered and had three hits as Atlanta rallied from a 2-0 deficit to complete the three-game sweep at Philadelphia. Ozzie Albies had an RBI double for the Braves, who outscored the Phillies 16-3 in the series.  Harris has six hits in his last seven at-bats with two walks, two homers and four runs, raising his average to .290. He has three home runs this season when hitting ninth in the batting order.  “Maybe they pitch me differently in the ninth spot because I’ve got (Ronald Acuna Jr.) behind me, but just try to go up there and be myself and get the job done,” Harris said after the game.  In Washington on Sunday, three pitchers combined to shut out the Giants. Opener PJ Poulin left with two outs in the first, Miles Mikolas tossed four scoreless innings and left-hander Andrew Alvarez, called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Rochester, pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the win.  “Knew (Alvarez) could give us some length,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said. “Knew he could give our bullpen a well-deserved rest given what we’re in now, 17 (days of games) in a row and that went as perfectly as it could have. All those guys threw the ball extremely well.”  Curtis Mead smacked a two-run homer and Keibert Ruiz had two hits, an RBI and a run for Washington. The Nationals — including Mead — bounced back from a day of physical and mental mistakes in a 7-6, 12-inning loss to the Giants on Saturday. Mead was tagged out running to third base standing up instead of sliding.  “Really happy for him,” Butera said of Mead. “We had some good conversations today about (Saturday’s) game and some of the mistakes we made — not just Curtis but as a group — and (good) to see them learn from them and flush them, be ready to go today. Happy for Curtis. That was a huge home run he hit there.”  Atlanta took the season series 9-4 in 2025.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Inconsistent #Nationals #face #challenge #surging #Braves

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