Brewers can’t close the deal, lose 3-2 to Nationals

Despite 11 hits and a walk, the Brewers could only muster 2 late runs in losing the series finale to Washington. The Nats snapped a 7 game losing streak, hitting two homeruns in the seventh and eighth to account for their three, then holding on for dear life in the bottom of the ninth.

Jimmy Nelson showed improvement over his previous June starts, going five innings and allowing only one hit. The hit had been ruled an error on Scooter Gennett, but was reversed to a single after the Nats notched their first...or second...hit off of reliever Jacob Barnes. Nelson walked five, including three straight to load the bases for Bryce Harper with two down in the fifth. Harper just missed a grand slam, flying out to the warning track in center. Jimmy fanned only one.

Barnes worked two innings and allowed a solo home run to back-up catcher Jose Lobaton in the seventh. Barnes struck out 4 and walked none but took the loss.

Michael Blazek continued to be inconsistent since he returned from the DL, giving up a 2 run home run to Clint Robinson in the eighth. Blaine Boyer worked a scoreless ninth.

Tanner Roark scattered 7 hits in seven innings, with only a lead-off walk to Jonathon Villar. He struck out 7. He was followed by three relievers, with Shawn Kelley getting the last 4 outs for his third save.

The Brewers finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the eighth as Jonathon Lucroy drove in Ryan Braun with a groundout.

With two out in the bottom of the ninth, Martin Maldonado hit a pinch homer to pull the Brewers within a run. Villar tripled when Jayson Werth lost his flyball in the sun, but Gennett popped out to left to end things.

The Brewers fell to 34-41, while the Nats remain in first in the east at 44-32. After an off day Monday the Dodgers come to Miller Park. Tuesday’s scheduled starters are Chase Anderson (4-7, 5.13) for Milwaukee facing 19 year old rookie Julio Urias (0-2, 4.40) for LA.