ATLANTA — James Parr tossed six sharp innings in his major league debut and the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 2-0 Thursday night.
Parr (1-0) surrendered just two hits — both to Ronnie Belliard — walked three and struck out three. The 22-year-old right-hander didn’t allow a runner past second base.
Jeff Bennett worked the seventh, Julian Tavarez pitched the eighth and Mike Gonzalez got three outs to complete the five-hitter, Atlanta’s seventh shutout of the season. Gonzalez struck out the side after Ryan Zimmerman’s leadoff double.
Gonzalez has converted all nine of his save opportunities this season and 39 straight overall, the longest current streak in the major leagues, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He has not blown a save since June 25, 2004, for Pittsburgh at Cincinnati.
Shairon Martis (0-1) also pitched well for Washington in his major league debut, allowing two runs and four hits in five innings. He walked five and struck out two.
Brian McCann hit a sacrifice fly in the third and Gregor Blanco drove in Casey Kotchman with a fielder’s choice in the fourth.
Atlanta won for only the sixth time in 24 games and ended Washington’s five-game winning streak in the season series. The Nationals, mired in last in the NL East, had won eight of nine.
Notes: Washington 1B Belliard left for a pinch runner after straining his right groin running out an infield hit in the seventh. He went 3-for-3. ... Nationals SS Christian Guzman had his franchise single-season record of eight straight multihit games end. He went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts. ... Washington RHP Shawn Hill will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow Friday in Pensacola, Fla. Hill was 1-5 with a 5.83 ERA in 12 games. ... Braves 3B Chipper Jones started after missing two games with a twisted right knee he hurt during infield practice on Tuesday. ... Atlanta SS Yunel Escobar did not play. He left Wednesday’s game when he re-injured his left shoulder. ... Kotchman made his first start since going on the bereavement list on Aug. 20 to be with his ill mother. She was released from the hospital on Thursday.