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ATLANTA -- Fredi Gonzalez doesnt want to discuss the NL East standings. In fact, one mention of the Braves big lead in the division made Atlantas manager groan and complain "I dont even want to talk about that. Its June 2." Ramiro Pena and B.J. Upton hit home runs, Paul Maholm won his third straight decision and Atlanta beat the Washington Nationals 6-3 on Sunday to stretch their lead in the NL East. The Braves won two of three from the Nationals and lead Washington by 6.5 games -- the biggest advantage for any first-place team in the majors. Atlanta is 15-6 against NL East teams, including 7-3 against the Nationals. "Its big," said Upton of winning the series against the Nationals. "We know theyre a team thats going to be around all year. They have a good ballclub. Its good to win games against a team like that." The Nationals (28-29) fell below .500 for the first time since they were 13-14 on April 30. It may seem early in the season to Atlantas Gonzalez, but Washingtons Adam LaRoche said its late for the Nationals to be scuffling around .500. "We deserve to be where were at right now," LaRoche said. "Weve played like crap. And were still not in awful shape. "That only goes so far. Were pretty deep into the season, so weve got to get it going or we wont be there at the end. I dont sense any panic, anybody stressing over it, but itd be nice to pick it up." Washington manager Davey Johnson said the teams sagging offence could get a lift as outfielder Jayson Werth is expected to come off the 15-day disabled list for Tuesdays start of a home series against the Mets. "Theres still plenty of time," Johnson said. "We can right the ship and get things going in the right direction. Weve still got plenty of time. "The offence is just sputtering a little bit. Itll be good to get Jayson back. Our guys are certainly capable. Theyve just got to start doing it. Thats all. Its that simple." Ian Desmond hit a homer for Washington in the sixth inning to cut Atlantas lead to 4-3. Freddie Freeman answered with a bases-loaded, two-run double in the bottom of the inning. Paul Maholm (7-4) allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits in six innings. Craig Kimbrel pitched a perfect ninth for his 17th save. Washington rookie Nathan Karns (0-1) gave up four runs, three earned, on seven hits in 4 2-3 innings. Karns allowed two homers. He has given up four homers in his two starts. Upton, who had the game-winning hit in the Braves 2-1 win over the Nationals in 10 innings on Saturday night, hit a second-inning homer off Karns to give Atlanta a 3-2 lead. The two-game surge was much-needed for Upton, who has RBIs in back-to-back games for only the second time this season. "Good for him," Gonzalez said. "His at-bats keep getting better and better and better. Thats the B.J. Upton that we want to see. Its good that hes coming along. "Hopefully hell run off 10 or 12 games like this." The Braves led 2-0 before Karns recorded an out. Ryan Zimmermans 10th error on a wild throw to first allowed Andrelton Simmons to reach base. Pena hit Karns next pitch about five rows deep into the right-field seats for his third homer. Washington tied the game with two runs in the second. LaRoche doubled and moved to third on Ian Desmonds bunt single. Tyler Moores single to left field drove in LaRoche. With two outs, Karns hit a grounder to Freeman at first base. Maholm dropped Freemans toss to first base for an error as Desmond scored. Karns was pulled after giving up a single to Justin Upton and a two-out walk to Evan Gattis in the fifth. Brian McCanns single off Zack Duke drove in Upton for a 4-2 lead. Desmonds seventh homer cut the lead to 4-3 in the sixth before Freemans bases-loaded double off Duke in the bottom of the inning pushed the lead to three runs. Freemans drive hit the yellow line on the top of the left-field wall. Three umpires left the field for a video review to confirm the on-field ruling the hit was a double. "I blame it on the wind," Freeman said with a smile. "Its a big park. Cmon guys, move the fences in." Washington right-hander Erik Davis, recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, pitched 1 2-3 perfect innings in his major league debut. NOTES: The Braves held out slumping right fielder Jason Heyward, who struck out in each of his three at-bats on Saturday night, leaving his batting average at .142. Justin Upton moved to right field and Gattis started in left field. ... B.J. Upton made back-to-back starts for the first time since May 21-22. ... The Braves open a three-game series against Pittsburgh on Monday night as RHP Kris Medlen, still looking for his second win, faces RHP A.J. Burnett. The Nationals, off on Monday, return home to open a series against the Mets on Tuesday night when RHP Jordan Zimmermann faces RHP Jeremy Hefner.Replica Soccer Jerseys . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Clearance Soccer Jerseys . It was the kind of score that might make everyone else wonder which course he was playing. Except that Graeme McDowell saw the whole thing. Crouched behind the 10th green at Sheshan International, McDowell looked over at the powerful American and said, "Ive probably seen 18 of the best drives Ive seen all year in the last two days. https://www.soccerjerseyschina.us/ . Tuesdays surgery at Atlantas Piedmont Hospital was performed by Dr. Xavier Duralde and Hawks team physician Dr. Michael Bernot. Cheap Soccer Jerseys . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move. Stitched Soccer Jerseys . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night.SEATTLE -- For all the flaws, the Seattle Seahawks are back where they always expected to be.In the postseason and as champions of the NFC West.I think its a huge significance in terms of consistency, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. Its something that we really do take great pride in because of the implications for the playoffs.Russell Wilson threw three touchdown passes, Tyler Lockett had 130 yards receiving and a score, and the Seahawks won the NFC West with a 24-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night.Seattle claimed its third division title in four seasons, assuring itself of at least one home game in the playoffs and keeping the pressure on Detroit in the competition for the No. 2 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye. Seattle also snapped a three-game losing streak to the Rams.Seattle became the first team in the NFL to clinch its division, the result of playing in the NFC West in a season where no one was particularly good. The Seahawks have their shortcomings, which were shown again against the Rams. Seattle simply had more tools than anyone else in the division to overcome their flaws.It wasnt a completely smooth evening for the Seahawks. Richard Sherman was seen yelling toward coaches on the sideline in the third quarter moments before Doug Baldwins 1-yard touchdown catch. Sherman said he was expressing his displeasure toward Carroll with the decision to throw on first-and-goal from the 1, a pass by Wilson that was nearly intercepted.Weve already seen how that goes. Im sure you guys have seen that play enough times, Sherman said.It wasnt an impressive display by Seattle (9-4-1), but was far better than Sunday when the Seahawks were blown out by Green Bay with Wilson throwing five interceptions.Wilson was good enough against the listless Rams. After slogging through the first half, Wilson threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin late in the third quarter for a 17-3 lead, then put the game away on a 57-yard touchdown strike to Lockett on the second play of the fourth quarter.Wilson finished 19 of 26 for 229 yards, but also threw a careless interception at the goal line midway through the fourth quarter. Seven of those passes went to Lockett, whose previous career high was 104 yards. Luke Willson also had an 8-yard TD catch in the first half.Another mostly forgettable Thursday night game was made at least somewhat more entertaining by the Seahawks and their highlighter green uniforms that drew wild opinions all over social media. The Action Green uniforms had very little action in the first half, before a second-half effort that assured another banner would be raised at CenturyLink Field.ddddddddddddA tumultuous few days for the Rams (4-10) after the firing of Jeff Fisher as head coach culminated in their fifth straight loss and first under interim coach John Fassel. The Rams defensive front caused problems for Seattle in the first half but the Los Angeles offense provided zero help.Its just a lesson for me that you always have to be ready to adapt and take on responsibilities that you didnt anticipate, Fassel said. But its an experience that of course Ill never forget.Jared Goff was 13 of 25 for 135 yards before leaving in the fourth quarter to be checked for a possible concussion. The Rams finished with 183 total yards, but 90 of those came in the fourth quarter.QUIET GURLEYLos Angeles running back Todd Gurley was again unable to get started in the run game, continuing a frustrating second season. Gurley was held to 38 yards on 14 carries. He did have a 22-yard run late in the second quarter that set up Greg Zuerleins 36-yard field goal, but it as just his second run of 20 yards or more this season. Gurley had 11 runs of 20 or more yards last year.There is no reason Gurley should get hit the way he gets hit sometimes because we dont set up a block for him, Los Angeles offensive lineman Rodger Saffold said.SACK ATTACKAfter getting no pressure on the quarterback in the past three weeks, the Seahawks rediscovered their pass rush.Seattle had two sacks in the first half and finished with four after the Seahawks had five total sacks in the previous five weeks. Cliff Avril was the main culprit with 1 1/2 sacks, giving him a career-high 11 1/2 for the season.INJURY REPORTSeattle defensive end Michael Bennett suffered neck strain in the fourth quarter on a collision with Gurley, Carroll said. A few plays later, Goff was taken from the game to be checked for a concussion after a sideline hit by Richard Sherman. He was replaced by Case Keenum.Even Seattle punter Jon Ryan got added to the injury list after suffering concussion in the fourth quarter on a fake punt. Ryan ran 26 yards before bobbling the ball and getting hit in the helmet falling to the turf.UP NEXTRams: Los Angeles will return home to host San Francisco.Seahawks: Seattle will host Arizona in its final home game.---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '