ATLANTA — Pinch-hitter Matt den Dekker, recalled from the minors earlier in the day, had a tiebreaking, two-run double in a three-run seventh inning that led the Washington Nationals over the Atlanta Braves 3-1 Wednesday night for an opening two-game sweep.

Stephen Strasburg (1-0), starting his final season with the Nationals before becoming eligible for free agency, allowed one run and six hits in six innings.

Jonathan Papelbon gave up one-out singles to Adonis Garcia, who had three hits, and Nick Markakis in the ninth. With Garcia at third and pinch-runner Drew Stubbs on second with two outs, Papelbon struck out A.J. Pierzynski for his second save.

Bud Norris (0-1), making his Atlanta debut after signing as a free agent, gave up three runs and six hits in seven innings.

Washington placed center fielder Ben Revere on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right oblique before the game and recalled den Dekker from Triple-A Syracuse. When the move was announced, manager Dusty Baker said he didn't know when den Dekker would arrive.

"He might be here in the eighth or ninth to win it," Baker said.

Baker's guess was off by an inning.

Atlanta led 1-0 before Ryan Zimmerman singled leading off the seventh with a single and scored from second on an infield hit by Wilson Ramos, who advanced on first baseman Freddie Freeman's wild throw to the plate. Following an intentional walk to Danny Espinosa, den Dekker batted for Strasburg and hit the two-run double to right-center.

Michael A. Taylor replaced Revere in the starting lineup and threw out Garcia and Pierzynski at second base in the fourth inning, both trying to stretch singles. Pierzynski's hit drove in Markakis, who had walked.