ATLANTA (AP) — Stephen Strasburg can't explain why he has struggled on the road this season.

Just as frustrating, however, is his poor career record against the Atlanta Braves, whose four homers marked a single-game career high for Washington's ace.

Justin Upton, Freddie Freeman and two other Braves homered off Strasburg, and the Nationals' comeback attempt fell short in a 7-6 loss to Atlanta on Friday night.

"I just didn't execute pitches the way I needed to," Strasburg said. "I felt pretty good — just the ball was up."
Rain delayed the game by 1 hour, 11 minutes in the middle of the sixth inning.

Atlanta, which nearly blew a 7-0 lead, moved within 3½ games of NL East-leading Washington. The Nationals, who had won two straight and four of six, have lost 21 of 30 against the Braves.

"We were down early but fought back hard," Washington manager Matt Williams said. "I mean guys really fought back. Not quite enough at the end."