Washington, DC -- (Sports Network) - Wilson Betemit's three-run home run in the eighth inning was all the offense Atlanta needed, as the Braves earned a two- game split of a rain-shortened series against Washington with a 3-1 win at RFK Stadium.

Martin Prado picked up his first career hit for Atlanta to lead off the eighth, a triple off Gary Majewski (1-1). Majewski later issued a walk to Pete Orr before Betemit blasted a three-run homer over the right-field wall to make it 3-1.

Betemit finished with two hits total as the Braves won for the third time in four games. Lance Cormier (1-1) received the win in relief.

Jose Guillen drove in Washington's lone run while Nick Johnson, Ryan Church and Royce Clayton had two hits each for the Nationals, who lost for just the second time in seven games.

Tony Armas started on the hill for Washington but did not factor into the decision after allowing just three hits with two walks and five strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings.

Washington outhit Atlanta 11-5, but only managed one run in the first.

Back-to-back two-out doubles in the opening inning staked the Nationals to the early 1-0 lead. Johnson stroked the first one down the right-field line and Guillen followed with a long fly ball off the base of the center-field wall to plate Johnson.

The Nationals had numerous chances to increase their lead, but failed each time. They loaded the bases in the fourth and the fifth innings, but came away empty handed.

In the fourth, Ryan Zimmerman singled and Church doubled before Atlanta starter John Thomson intentionally walked Clayton with one out. However, Thomson then got Brian Schneider to ground into a double play to end the inning.

Thomson lasted six innings and allowed one run on seven hits with five strikeouts and five walks.

Then in the fifth, with Alfonso Soriano on second and Jose Vidro on first, both runners took off on a double steal as Johnson stuck out swinging for the second out.

Both runners were safe and Thomson walked Guillen intentionally to fill the bases before fanning Zimmerman to end the threat.

Washington mustered one last threat in the ninth off of Atlanta's Chris Reitsma.

Damian Jackson singled with one out, but was forced out on the next play at second on Soriano's ground ball for the second out. A long single by Vidro moved Soriano to third and chased Reitsma from the game.

Mike Remlinger recorded his first save of the season after Johnson grounded out to end the contest.

Game Notes

Andruw Jones turned 29 on Sunday...Atlanta continues to play without three of its regular infielders. Third baseman Chipper Jones is still on the disabled list, second baseman Marcus Giles hasn't played since Wednesday due to a finger injury and shortstop Edgar Renteria has been out of the lineup since straining his left rib cage on April 15...Betemit's homer was his second of the year as he continues to fill in for Chipper Jones. Betemit now has 10 RBI on the season...Both teams were caught stealing twice, with Clayton getting gunned down twice at second.

Copyright 2006 Courtesy of The Sports Network.