Matt Olson's 3-run homer lifts Braves over Nationals 11-3

WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Olson went 4 for 5 with a three-run homer, Spencer Strider allowed only one run in a seven-inning start and the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 11-3 on Monday night.

Olson homered in his third straight game, had three extra-base hits and four RBIs in his second four-hit game of the season. Drake Baldwin added three hits and four RBIs.

Olson sent a home run over the right-field wall in the fifth inning to extend Atlanta’s lead to 5-1. Olson doubled down the left-field line and Nacho Alvarez Jr. scored for a 7-1 lead in the seventh.

Strider (6-13) had taken the loss in five of his last six starts, dating to Aug. 6. He allowed four hits, struck out six and walked two.

Atlanta has won back-to-back games following four-straight losses.

Daylen Lile hit the sixth home run of his rookie season to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead. Lile has reached safely in 15 straight games.

Washington scored two runs in the eighth after entering the inning without a hit since Paul DeJong's single in the fourth.

Mitchell Parker (8-16) allowed six runs and 10 hits in five innings.

The Nationals had the bases loaded in the fourth, but the Braves ended the threat with a double play. Baldwin fielded a dribbler, tagged home and then threw out Dylan Crews at first.

After hitting just one homer over a 34-game stretch from July 21 through Aug. 26, Olson has seven home runs in his last 18 games. Olson, who hit his 26th of the season, has hit at least 25 homers in each of his four seasons with Atlanta.

Washington RHP Jake Irvin (8-12, 5.70 ERA) is scheduled to make his seventh career start against Atlanta in Game 1 of a doubleheader, while the Braves have not announced a starter. Game 2 will feature Washington LHP MacKenzie Gore (5-14, 4.14) against LHP Chris Sale (5-5, 2.52).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Mitchell Parker throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Atlanta Braves' Matt Olson, center, celebrates after his three-run home run with Marcell Ozuna (20) and Michael Harris II (23) during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama returned to the court after limping off with a right leg injury in the opening minutes of the San Antonio Spurs' game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.

Wembanyama returned to the bench at the close of the first quarter and was on the court to start the second quarter.

Wembanyama dropped to the court after making knee-to-knee contact with the left leg of Milwaukee center Giannis Antetokounmpo under the Bucks basket with 9:18 remaining in the first quarter. Antetokounmpo was driving to the rim when the two made contact.

Wembanyama remained on the court for a few seconds before rising and hobbling unassisted in a half sprint toward the locker room.

Wembanyama suffered a hyperextended knee on Dec. 31 in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks in a similar play. He returned to the bench but missed the next two games.

San Antonio enters Thursday's game on a two-game skid, including a 119-98 loss at Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

AP NBA: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NBA

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama reveals a freshly shaved head as he warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)