Wince & losses: Strasburg hurt, then Nats walk off

WASHINGTON — It was a good and bad news scenario on Wednesday night at Nationals Park. The good news was that the Nationals defeated the Braves, 5-4, in 11 innings and lowered their magic number to 15 to win the National League East. The bad news is, Washington lost Stephen Strasburg to an an elbow injury.

With the score tied at 4, no outs and the bases loaded in the 11th, Wilson Ramos lofted a single to left field off Braves right-hander Brandon Cunniff to score Jayson Werth with the game-winning run.

“It was important [getting the victory],” Nationals manager Dusty Baker said. “This was a team victory. We used guys that we haven’t used in the past. They came through.”

• Strasburg feels pinch in elbow, set for MRI

Atlanta went ahead, 4-3, in the 10th inning when with runners on first and second and two outs, Jace Peterson singled to left field off Trevor Gott, scoring Nick Markakis.

After Danny Espinosa and Chris Heisey singled with Jim Johnson on the mound in the bottom half of the frame, Anthony Rendon reached on an infield single, scoring Espinosa.

Strasburg started the game and retired six of the eight hitters he faced, but the right-hander left in the third inning after striking out Mike Foltynewicz. Strasburg felt a pinch in the back of his elbow and will undergo an MRI on Thursday.

The Nationals ended up using nine relievers, who allowed a combined three runs in 8 2/3 innings and struck out 11 batters. The winner was Mat Latos, who won his first game as a member of the Nationals.

“It’s awesome we are able to pull off a great win. It’s close to one in the morning. ” said Nationals right-hander Lucas Giolito, who pitched 3 1/3 innings. “At least we get to end on a high note.”

Foltynewicz provided the Braves another strong start, as he recorded eight strikeouts and limited the Nationals to one run over six innings. After hitting a third-inning leadoff double which positioned him to score Atlanta’s first run, Dansby Swanson homered for the second straight night to give the Braves a 3-1 lead in the seventh inning.

“Foltynewicz gave us a chance to win and I thought we played pretty well,” Swanson said. “Obviously, losing is never fun. …

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