Zimmerman, Zimmermann, Nats Bullpen Doom Brewers in 16 Innings

Jun 24, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) makes a throwing error after forcing out Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett (2) in the 15th inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Brewers were back in action Tuesday after suffering a 3-0 loss to the Washington Nationals on Monday where they only collected three hits.

The Crew looked to turn things around with Yovani Gallardo (5-4, 3.34 ERA) taking on Wisconsin native Jordan Zimmermann (5-4, 2.95 ERA) who had a career record of 4-0 against the Brewers.

The Brewers managed to avoid handing Zimmermann another win, but they couldn’t hold on to a one-run lead late and ended up going to extra innings where they lost 4-2 on a 16th inning home run by Ryan Zimmerman to give Washington the first two games of the series.

Denard Span led off the game with a bloop single to right and stole second, just beating a perfect throw by Jonathan Lucroy. Anthony Rendon singled on a swinging bunt down the third base line. Aramis Ramirez decided to see if the ball would roll foul rather than make a play on Rendon, who he probably couldn’t have thrown out anyway.

Jayson Werth bounced into a soft ground out to drive in the run and move Rendon to second. Adam LaRoche struck out looking for the second out of the inning. Ryan Zimmerman went down looking as well to hold the Nationals to just one run.

Zimmermann had no trouble working through the Brewer line up in the bottom half of the frame as Scooter Gennett grounded out to second ahead of strike outs by Ryan Braun and Lucroy.

Both pitchers cruised through the second inning without issue, and other than a Span walk, both pitchers cruised through the third as well.

With two outs in the top of the fourth Ian Desmond singled for the first Nationals hit in three innings. Desmond stole second, but he was left stranded as Gallardo struck out Danny Espinosa to end the frame.

Braun became the first Brewers base runner with a one-out single in the bottom of the fourth inning. Braun advanced to third on a hit-and-run single by Lucroy to put runners at the corners.

Carlos Gomez walked to load the bases with one out. Ramirez popped out to LaRoche for the second out. Zimmermann got out of the inning and ended the threat by striking out Khris Davis.

Gallardo made it look easy again in the top of the fifth, getting three quick outs. The Brewers offense woke up again in the bottom of the frame.

Mark Reynolds led off with a single and Jean Segura followed with a single of his own. Gallardo sacrificed the runners up a base with a beautiful bunt down the third base line.

Gennett struck out swinging for the second out of the inning. Braun grounded a single to left to drive in Reynolds and Segura and put Milwaukee up 2-1. Lucroy grounded out to short to end the inning.

With two outs in the sixth LaRoche walked, and Zimmerman followed with a single to put two on for Desmond who flew out to right to end the threat.

In the Brewer half of the frame Ramirez doubled after a Gomez strike out and moved to third on a Davis fly out. Reynolds followed with a walk to put runners on the corners. Segura flew out to center to end the inning.

Rob Wooten came on to replace Gallardo in the seventh inning. Gallardo tossed six innings and gave up one run on four hits and two walks. He struck out five and left in line for the win.

Rob Wooten quickly put down Espinosa and Lobaton before Nate McLouth pinch-hit for Zimmermann. Zimmermann finished with six innings pitched and two runs allowed on six hits and two walks. He struck out nine and left in line for the loss. McLouth struck out to end the inning.

Rickie Weeks led off the bottom of the seventh, pinch-hitting for Rob Wooten, with a walk. Weeks was erased on a double-play ground out by Gennett. Braun followed with a walk but was caught stealing to end the inning.

Will Smith came out to pitch the eighth for the Crew. He got Span quickly, but Rendon tied the game with a home run to straight away center. Werth grounded out for the second out before a single by LaRoche. Zimmerman flew out to Gomez to end the inning with the game tied at two.

With Aaron Barrett pitching, Lucroy led off the bottom of the eighth with a walk.  Gomez followed with a double-play ground out and Ramirez struck out to end the eighth.

Fransisco Rodriguez came out for the ninth and promptly stuck out Desmond and Espinosa for the first two outs. Lobaton bounced out to end the inning.

Craig Stammen came on to pitch the ninth for Washington. Davis flew out to center to open the frame. Reynolds and Segura followed with strike outs to go to extra innings.

Zach Duke came on to pitch the 10th for Milwaukee, with Lyle Overbay taking over at first base.  He quickly got Scott Hairston, pinch-hitting for the pitcher, and Span out before a Rendon single, but a Werth strike out ended the inning.

The Brewers sent Lyle Overbay to lead off the bottom of the 10th against new Nationals pitcher Ross Detwiler. Overbay struck out and Gennett followed with a fly out to center. Braun grounded out to send the game to the 11th inning.

Duke stayed in the game for the 11th and struck out LaRoche to start the inning. Zimmerman lined out to Braun for the second out. Desmond grounded out to Segura to end the inning.

Detwiler stayed in the game for the Nationals in the 11th. He quickly set down the heart of the Brewers order: Lucroy, Gomez and Ramirez, to send the game to the 12th inning.

Tom Gorzelanny came on to pitch the 12th for the Crew and Elian Herrera replaced Ramirez at third in the double switch. He set down Espinosa, Lobaton and Detwiler in order.

Detwiler had the bottom of the Brewers line up to get through in the bottom of the 12th, with Davis, Herrera and Segura in line. He managed Davis well enough but Herrera singled up the middle to give the Brewers their first hit against the Nationals bullpen in 8 innings in the series and the first Brewers hit since the sixth inning.

Unfortunately, Segura grounded into a double play to erase Herrera and send the game to the 13th.

The Brewers sent Mike Fiers to the mound in the 13th to face the top of the Nationals order. He put Span, Rendon and Werth down in order.

Detwiler returned to the mound for the 13th, his fourth inning of work. Overbay led off with a single on a soft fly to left. He moved to second on a sacrifice by Gennett.

Braun followed by grounding out, moving Overbay to third with two outs. Detwiler intentionally walked Lucroy to put runners at the corners for Gomez who was 0-for-8 in the series. He ended the inning with a line out to Desmond at short to make it 0-for-9 and send it to the 14th.

Fiers continued to pitch for the Crew in the top of the 14th. He induced a pop out by LaRoche, but Zimmerman followed with an infield single to second, and Desmond singled to right to put two on.

Espinosa flew out to Gomez in center for the second out of the inning. Lobaton smacked a grounder up the middle, but Segura cut it off and threw him out to end the inning.

Drew Storen came on in the bottom of the 14th for Washington, replacing Ross Detwiler who threw four scoreless innings. Fiers stayed in the game to hit for himself and he bounced out to the mound to lead off the inning.

Davis followed with a single to left to give Milwaukee their third hit in 11 innings against the Washington bullpen in the series. Herrera followed with a deep fly ball to center field, but Span brought it down for the second out.
Werth ended the inning with a diving catch on a fly ball by Segura.

Greg Dobbs pinch hit for Storen to lead off the 15th against Fiers in his third inning of relief. Dobbs flew out to Gomez for the first out. Span struck out and Rendon flew out to Gomez.

Tyler Clippard came on to pitch the bottom of the 15th for the Nationals. After getting Overbay to fly out, Gennett singled to right to put the winning run on base.

Braun reached on a fielder’s choice. He hit a double-play grounder back to the mound but Desmond threw it into the Nationals dugout on the turn to put Braun at second.

Clippard intentionally walked Lucroy to put two on and face Gomez. Gomez obliged with a pop out to end the 15th inning.

Fiers went back out for his fourth inning of work in the 16th inning. After a strike out by Werth, LaRoche singled to right. Zimmerman followed with a two-run home run to give Washington a 4-2 lead. Desmond struck out and Espinosa flew out to end the inning.

Martin Maldonado led off the Brewer half of the 16th inning, pinch-hitting for Fiers, and faced Nationals closer Rafael Soriano. He flew weakly to left and Zimmerman made a diving catch for the first out. Davis followed with a strike out. Herrera flew out to Zimmerman to end the game.

Mike Fiers was charged with the loss for Milwaukee, allowing two runs in four innings of relief work. Clippard picked up the win for the Nationals and Soriano earned the save. The Nationals bullpen tossed 10 scoreless innings in the game.