Bats Take the Night Off as Brewers Fall to Nationals

Jun 23, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche (25) is greeted by third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) and right fielder Jayson Werth (28) after hitting a 3-run home run in the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Fresh off a 7-1 road trip to Arizona and Colorado the Brewers returned home Monday night to take on the Washington Nationals.

The Nationals sent out Gio Gonzalez (3-4, 4.85 ERA) in the midst of the worst of his five seasons as a full-time starter. The Crew sent Matt Garza (4-4, 4.02 ERA)  who has turned his season around in June, with a 2.00 ERA and 2-0 record in four starts after rough months in April and May.

Their fortunes were reversed tonight and one bad inning sunk Garza and the Brewers as they were stymied by Gonzalez on their way to a 3-0 Nationals win.

Garza opened the game strong, with a strike out of Denard Span. Anthony Rendon followed with a ground out to Aramis Ramirez, and Jayson Werth grounded out to Rickie Weeks.

Weeks led off the second with a fly out to Span in center and Braun followed with a strike out. Jonathan Lucroy followed with a single to right to put a runner on for Carlos Gomez with two outs, but he bounced out to third to end the inning.

Adam LaRoche broke up the perfect game on the first pitch of the second inning with a single to left. Ryan Zimmerman followed with a walk. Ian Desmond followed with a single to left to load the bases.

Garza struck out Danny Espinosa for the first out of the inning. Lobaton followed with a strike out of his own. Gonzalez finished the inning by bouncing out to Segura.

Ramirez flew out to left to open the bottom of the second. Khris Davis grounded out to third for the second out. Mark Reynolds struck out to end the inning. Nationals manager Matt Williams was ejected after this half inning for some reason.

Braun made a leaping catch against the wall in right on Denard Span fly ball to record the first out of the third inning. Anthony Rendon followed with a walk, and Jayson Werth singled to right, moving Rendon to third.

LaRoche, who started the rally in the second inning, belted a three-run home run (9) to give the Nationals the early 3-0 lead. Zimmerman grounded out, and Desmond flew out to end the inning.

The Brewers treatened in the bottom half of the inning. Segura singled and reached second on a sacrifice bunt by Garza.  He stole third as Rickie Weeks walked to put runners at the corners.

Braun followed with another strike out ahead of a Lucroy walk to load the bases. Unfortunately, Gomez flew out to leave three runners stranded.

Garza put the Nationals down in order in the top of the fourth inning. Mark Reynolds walked with two outs in the bottom half of the inning, and stole second. He moved to third on a wild pitch, but Segura popped out to end the inning.

With two outs in the top of the fifth, Jayson Werth singled to short but he was left stranded after LaRoche bounced out to Reynolds.

With two outs in the bottom of the inning Braun doubled to left to put a runner in scoring position for Lucroy but he flew out to center to end the inning with the Brewers still trailing.

Garza put the Nationals down one-two-three in the top of the sixth. After a Gomez ground out Ramirez walked in the bottom half of the inning. Unfortunately Khris Davis grounded into a double play to end the inning.

That was Gonzalez last inning on the mount for the Nats. He threw six innings and didn’t allow a run on three hits while walking four and striking out five.

Garza put the Nationals down in order in the top of the seventh. Aaron Barrett came on to pitch the seventh for the Nationals and put the Brewers down in order.

Mike Fiers relieved Garza to open the eighth inning. Garza threw seven innings and allowed three runs on five hits and two walks. He struck out seven.

After a Rendon fly out to deep left field, Werth singled to center. LaRoche walked to put two on, but Zimmerman grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Drew Storen came on to pitch the bottom of the eighth for Washington and he put the Brewers down in order. Tom Gorzelanny came in to keep it close for Milwaukee in the top of the ninth.

Ian Desmond led off with a single, before a Danny Espinosa strike out. Desmond stole second and reached third on a Jose Lobaton fly out. The inning ended with a Scott Hairston fly out.

Closer Tyler Clippard came on to pitch the bottom of the ninth for the Nationals.  Gomez struck out to open the inning and end a 12-pitch at-bat. Clippard followed by striking out Ramirez and Davis to end the game.

Gonzalez picked up the win for the Nationals, and Garza the loss for Milwaukee.