Aybar stands by aggressive decision in 9th inning

WASHINGTON — Erick Aybar pushed the Braves closer toward the completion of what would have been an improbable ninth-inning rally, and then paid for his aggressive decision to attempt to reach third base with no outs and the Braves facing a one-run deficit in the ninth inning of Saturday’s 7-6 loss at Nationals Park.

Instead of rolling over and finding an escape from a humid night that became more miserable when they incurred a six-run deficit after six innings, the Braves showed some fight during a four-run ninth. Aybar keyed the rally when he drilled a two-run double off Mark Melancon, but the veteran shortstop also stopped the momentum when he attempted to stretch his hit into a triple and found himself at the mercy of a replay review.

“From one angle I looked safe, but the umpire said out,” Aybar said.

Though there was at least one angle that indicated Aybar’s left hand might have touched third before he was tagged by Anthony Rendon, the call stood and Melancon escaped further damage …

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