Ankiel led off the bottom of the first with a homer to center field. It was the second time this season the Nationals’ opening hitter homered.

Washington starter Livan Hernandez (6-10) allowed just one run and no walks over six innings and also drove in a run as the Nationals won their third straight.

Atlanta second baseman Dan Uggla also homered twice, extending his career-long hitting streak to 23 games.

Braves starter Jair Jurrjens (12-4) allowed five runs in five-plus innings; his first loss in eight starts.

In New York, Mike Stanton hit a grand slam in the 10th inning to give Florida an emphatic finish to a tight game against New York.

Sanchez and Hanley Ramirez singled with one out off Jason Isringhausen (2-1). Dewayne Wise followed with a single through the right side to load the bases and set up Stanton’s big one.

The Marlins won despite allowing Lucas Duda to hit a tying two-run homer for New York with two outs in the bottom of the ninth off Leo Nunez (1-2).

In Pittsburgh, Starlin Castro had three hits to help Chicago down Pittsburgh.

Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano (8-6) survived six choppy innings, giving up seven hits, to take the win.

New Pirates slugger Derrek Lee, acquired in a trade with Baltimore on Saturday, hit two homers and knocked in all three of his team’s runs in his Pittsburgh debut, but it wasn’t enough.

Pirates starter Paul Maholm (6-11) surrendered four runs in six innings.