Braves do it again in final at-bat, beating Nationals 3-2 on Heyward’s ninth-inning hit

Heyward’s hit gives Braves another last at-bat win

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves did it again in their final at-bat, beating the Washington Nationals 3-2 on Jason Heyward’s run-scoring single in the ninth inning Wednesday night.

The Braves won for the 21st time in their final swing, which leads the majors. They also improved baseball’s best home record to 44-16, maintaining their 2½-game lead on Philadelphia in the NL East.

With one out, Rick Ankiel fisted a bloop single just over the outstretched glove of second baseman Adam Kennedy. Sean Burnett (0-7) was replaced by Tyler Clippard, who made matters worse by walking David Ross. Clippard struck out Omar Infante, then grooved a 3-0 pitch to Heyward, who lined it to left-center to bring home Ankiel without a throw.

Billy Wagner (7-2) struck out the side in the ninth.

The Braves’ fourth straight win came hours after they acquired slugging first baseman Derrek Lee from the Chicago Cubs for three minor league pitchers. Lee will join the team when it gets to Wrigley Field on Friday for the start of a weekend series.

In the meantime, the Braves did just fine in their next-to-last game before Lee comes aboard.

Atlanta starter Tim Hudson and Washington’s Livan Hernandez pitched seven strong innings, allowing two runs apiece, but neither was involved in the decision.

Going for his 15th win, Hudson allowed eight hits — all singles — and benefited from four double plays. Hernandez pitched around nine hits, getting a heads-up play from center fielder Roger Bernadina when Martin Prado tried to tag up at first on a flyout to the warning track in the sixth. Bernadina wasn’t fooled, making a strong throw to second that nipped Prado.

For the second straight night, the Nationals took a 2-0 lead. For the second night in a row, it didn’t matter.

Michael Morse and Willie Harris got the third started with consecutive singles. With one out, Bernadina lined a run-scoring hit to right, but he was tagged out trying to reach second on the throw home. Ryan Zimmerman drove home another run with a two-out single to left.

In the fourth, the Braves loaded the bases with no outs on Prado’s leadoff double and two walks. Hernandez was on the verge of escaping with minimal damage when Melky Cabrera hit into a double play — Prado scored on the play — but the Nationals’ defense made a boneheaded play.

Alex Gonzalez lofted a popup into short right field. Morse came charging in from right field, Kennedy drifted out — then both veered off at the last second, apparently thinking the other had called for the ball. It fell for a gift single that brought home the tying run.

The Nationals took another blow in the eighth when Zimmerman was tossed by home-plate umpire Scott Barry after striking out to end the inning.

Zimmerman slammed down his bat and helmet, apparently upset only at himself for swinging at a low pitch from Jonny Venters, but Barry took exception and gave him the heave. Walking toward his position, Zimmerman spun around in disbelief. Manager Jim Riggleman charged out of the dugout and got ejected, too, after an extended argument with the ump.

NOTES: The Nationals placed C Wil Nieves on the temporary leave list so he could be with his wife, who’s expecting a child. C Wilson Ramos was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to fill in while Nieves is away. … Washington will make another roster move Thursday, when OF Nyger Morgan is eligible for come off the 15-day DL. OF Josh Willingham (knee) will replace Morgan on the DL. … The Braves called up IF Brandon Hicks from Triple-A Gwinnett for what figures to be a short stay. He’ll likely return to the minors when Lee joins the Braves in Chicago on Friday. … The Braves (71-49) haven’t been 22 games over .500 since Sept. 27, 2005 (90-68).