Sports

ATLANTA, GA – (AP) The Washington Nationals, again led by former Braves outfielder Willie Harris, made Atlanta look like a former
contender.

Harris drove in five runs and reached base five times, Jesus Flores had five hits and Austin Kearns hit a two-run homer as the Nationals routed the Braves 15-6 on Sunday.

Washington outscored Atlanta 23-8 to win the last two games of the series. The series loss was a crushing disappointment for the fourth-place Braves, who hoped for a strong start after the All-Star break.

BALTIMORE, MD – (AP) Justin Verlander came within an out of completing a three-hitter, Magglio Ordonez and Marcus Thames hit solo homers, and the Detroit Tigers handed the Baltimore Orioles their 15th consecutive Sunday loss, 5-1.

Ryan Raburn had two RBIs for the Tigers, who gained a split of the four-game series to move back to .500.

Verlander was replaced by Todd Jones after allowing his second walk of the ninth inning. Jones then walked Aubrey Huff before retiring Kevin Millar on a grounder to end it.

HICKORY, NC – Nathan Nery and Cliff Flagello combined for a two-hit shutout as the Shorebirds blanked the Crawdads 2-0 on Sunday evening at L.P. Frans Stadium in Hickory.

In his best start of the season, Nery tossed seven scoreless frames while allowing just one hit, a Tom Hagan leadoff single in the fifth. In relief, Flagello earned his second save of the year and maintained the Shorebirds third shutout in the last 10 games, the fifth of the season.

NEW YORK, NY – (AP) Ashley Battle scored 15 points and Janel McCarville had 12 to help the New York Liberty cruise to a 77-56 victory over the Washington Mystics.

Shameka Christon added 10 points for New York, which won for the fifth time in seven games.

Alana Beard scored 15 points and Taj McWilliams-Franklin had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Mystics. Washington shot 34 percent from the field and committed 22 turnovers that led to 27 points for New York.

OWINGS MILLS, MD – (AP) Joe Flacco won't face any delays in his bid to become the Baltimore Ravens starting quarterback.

Baltimore's top draft pick has agreed in principle to a five-year deal that could earn him up to $30 million and includes $8.75 million in guaranteed money. The agreement came after a negotiating session between a team exec and and Flacco's agent.