Nationals 2, Braves 0

Stephen Strasburg pitched four-hit ball for seven sharp innings and Jesus Flores homered, leading the Washington Nationals over the Atlanta Braves 2-0 on Saturday. Strasburg (6-1) completed seven shutout innings for the first time in his major league career. He opened the game with a flourish, striking out the first four Braves batters. Strasburg struck out nine, walked none and threw 90 pitches. Twice he gave up singles and then induced double-play grounders. The right-hander allowed multiple baserunners just once - in the third when Jose Constanza doubled and Michael Bourn singled with one out. Sean Burnett gave up two singles in a scoreless eighth and Tyler Clippard pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save in fifth chances. Brandon Beachy (5-4) allowed just three hits in 6 1-3 innings. He has lost three straight decisions and Atlanta has dropped nine of 11. The game was scoreless when Flores led off the fifth by hitting a drive into the left-field bullpen for his second home run of the year. In the seventh, Beachy was pulled with one out after Danny Espinosa walked. Espinosa stole second and Chad Durbin walked Flores. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch from Jonny Venters that hit catcher Brian McCann, forcing him to leave with a bruise. Espinosa scored on pinch-hitter Xavier Nady's double to right. NOTES: McCann was replaced at catcher by David Ross, who hadn't played since May 25 with a strained right groin. .... Washington RF Michael Morse made his season debut after missing nearly the first two months of the season with a strained back muscle. He grounded out to short in all four at-bats. ... Nationals manager Davey Johnson said that C Wilson Ramos would miss the rest of the season because doctors were unable to repair his torn anterior cruciate ligament and torn meniscus at the same time. When doctors repaired the meniscus, they thought the ligament needed time to heal and the ACL surgery will have to wait. ... Washington RHP Brad Lidge (sports hernia) says he'll have three rehab appearances next week for Class A Potomac. ... Atlanta SS Andrelton Simmons made his major league debut. He was 0 for 3. ... Braves RHP Tommy Hanson (5-4, 3.84) will pitch against Nationals LHP Gio Gonzalez (7-1, 2.04) on Sunday.