Nationals 4, Brewers 3: Yet another disappointing series loss for Milwaukee

Curt Hogg, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chalk up another frustrating series loss for the Milwaukee Brewers.

A sixth-inning pitching change backfired and the offense was held in check against a rookie starting pitcher as the Brewers fell, 4-3, to the Washington Nationals on Sunday afternoon to drop the series at Nationals Park.

The Brewers have dropped three consecutive series and have won only two total since the calendar flipped to July. Since reaching a high-water mark of 17 games over .500 at Colorado on July 3, Milwaukee is 10-14.

Luis Garcia Jr. continues his assault on Brewers pitching

A day after finishing a triple shy of the cycle, Nationals second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. was back to crushing Brewers pitching in the first inning Sunday, sending a 3-1 fastball from Tobias Myers out to center for a solo home run.

Myers settled in nicely after that swing, facing just one over the minimum in his next three innings and working around a one-out double by Alex Call to put up another zero in the fifth.

Myers ultimately allowed just the one run on Garcia's homer and only struck out one while giving up four hits and a walk.

Nationals second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. reacts at home plate after hitting a home run against the Brewers in the first inning at Nationals Park.
Nationals second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. reacts at home plate after hitting a home run against the Brewers in the first inning at Nationals Park.

Brewers bats are silent

The Brewers offense, though, could get nothing going against Nationals lefty Mitchell Parker. Their lone early threat came in the third when Andruw Monasterio walked and Garrett Mitchell singled but Parker escaped the inning when Jackson Chourio lined into a double play.

Monasterio reached base again by doubling with one out in the fifth but was stranded in scoring position when Joey Ortiz flew out and Mitchell was called out on strikes. Ortiz is now 9 for his last 67 with only one extra-base hit in that stretch.

Parker is through six scoreless, thanks in part to some friendly batted ball luck. Of the Brewers' 16 balls in play, 10 have been hit 95 mph or harder; Parker has registered nine outs on those batted balls.

Brewers go to the bullpen and it backfires

Myers wasn't as sharp as he's ever been Sunday, but after the Garcia homer he had worked with relative ease through the Nationals lineup, allowing just one hard-hit ball between the second and fifth innings. Nevertheless, manager Pat Murphy lifted him from the game following five innings and 64 pitches, opting to go to the bullpen rather than let Myers face the Washington order for a third time.

The decision could not have played out much worse. Hoby Milner loaded the bases by allowing three singles, a pair of them smoked and the third a dribbler on the infield. James Wood then lined a three-run triple down the line in left as the ball got past a diving Jackson Chourio, who was never going to catch it, and rolled to the fence to make it 4-0.

Gary Sánchez makes it a ballgame

For the second straight day, the Brewers battled back to make it close in the eighth inning. Saturday, Gary Sánchez hit a RBI single that drew the Brewers within two and brought the tying run to the plate. Sunday, he crushed a two-run homer to left-center to cut the Nationals' lead to 4-3. A diving play by shortstop CJ Abrams to take a hit away from William Contreras one batter before loomed large, as it kept a critical runner off base for Milwaukee.

The Brewers put the tying run on in the ninth when Rhys Hoskins led off with a single against closer Kyle Finnegan, but the threat dissipated quickly when Blake Perkins flew out and Brice Turang hit into a double play.

Brewers time, TV, radio

The Brewers game starts at 12:35 p.m. CT.

TV: Bally Sports Wisconsin. Radio: AM-620 and a state network

Brewers lineup

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Tobias Myers (36) throws during the first inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Tobias Myers (36) throws during the first inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

  • Jackson Chourio LF

  • William Contreras DH

  • Gary Sánchez C

  • Willy Adames SS

  • Rhys Hoskins 1B

  • Blake Perkins CF

  • Andruw Monasterio 2B

  • Joey Ortiz 3B

  • Garrett Mitchell RF

Nationals lineup

  • CJ Abrams SS

  • Juan Yepez 1B

  • Luis Garcia Jr. 2B

  • Keibert Ruiz C

  • James Wood LF

  • Travis Blankenhorn DH

  • Alex Call RF

  • Jacob Young CF

  • Trey Lipscomb 3B

What is the Brewers record?

The Brewers are 62-48.

Brewers schedule

Off-day Monday.

Brewers at Braves, 6:20 p.m. Tuesday. Milwaukee RHP Colin Rea (9-3, 3.59) vs. Atlanta TBA. Broadcasts: TV – Bally Sports Wisconsin. Radio – AM-620.

Brewers at Braves, 6:20 p.m. Wednesday. RHP Freddy Peralta (6-6, 3.89) vs. Atlanta TBA. Broadcasts: TV – Bally Sports Wisconsin. Radio – AM-620.

Brewers at Braves, 11:20 a.m. Thursday. RHP Frankie Montas (5-8, 5.03) vs. Atlanta TBA. Broadcasts: TV – Bally Sports Wisconsin. Radio – AM-620.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Nationals 4, Brewers 3: Yet another disappointing series loss for Milwaukee

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