ATLANTA -- James Parr tossed six sharp innings in his major league debut and the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 2-0 on Thursday night.
Parr 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. Full story
Game 1: Royals 5, Athletics 4 (10)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Joey Gathright hit a run-scoring single in the 10th inning, helping the Kansas City Royals open a doubleheader with a win over the Oakland Athletics in front of a sparse crowd.
Esteban German reached on shortstop Bobby Crosby's throwing error leading off the 10th and moved to second on David DeJesus' sacrifice. Joey Devine (4-1) intentionally walked Mike Aviles and Gathright, a defensive replacement in the ninth inning, slapped a single just inside the third-base bag for Kansas City's fourth win in 16 games.
Joakim Soria (2-3) allowed a hit in two innings for the win.
The remnants of Hurricane Gustav washed out Wednesday's game, leading to Oakland's first doubleheader since being swept in Kansas City on Aug. 18, 2006.
Game 2: Royals 9, Athletics 6
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Jose Guillen drove in three runs, Kyle Davies ended a four-game losing streak and the Kansas City Royals beat the Oakland Athletics to complete a doubleheader sweep.
Kansas City, which won the first game 5-4 in 10 innings, also finished off a sweep of the three-game series between two of the AL's worst teams. The Royals jumped out to a 9-1 lead in the second game and finished with 15 hits.
Oakland scored three in the seventh and two in the ninth to cut it to 9-6 before Ramon Ramirez finished for his first career save.
Kansas City's David DeJesus had three hits in each game of the doubleheader and scored three times on the day.
