Rookie lefty Parker logs another strong start as the Nationals beat Morton and the Braves 8

ATLANTA (AP) — Mitchell Parker pitched five-hit ball into the seventh inning and CJ Abrams homered, helping the Washington Nationals beat the depleted Atlanta Braves 8-4 on Monday.

Parker (4-2) allowed three runs, struck out six and walked none in 6 1/3 innings. He threw 100 pitches, 74 for strikes.

The rookie left-hander has permitted three runs or fewer in each of his first eight major league starts. A key to Parker’s success has been efficiency.

“Just a lot of early contact, a lot of ground balls,” Parker said. “Fielders were making a lot of plays and ... just keeping the counts short, the pitch count down. That’s all that matters.”

Jacob Young had three of the Nationals’ season-high 15 hits. Nick Senzel had two hits, including a two-run single in a four-run first inning against Charlie Morton.

“We love it, playing defense behind him,” Abrams said of Parker’s quick innings. “The more time you spend in the dugout and hitting the better off you are.”