Nationals 11, Brewers 10 (11): Mike Morse hit a game-tying two-run homer in the ninth and drove in the winning runs with a two-run double in the 11th, as Milwaukee's bullpen suffered another late-inning meltdown to allow visiting Washington to rally for its first series win at Miller Park since 2006.
The Brewers' maligned bullpen allowed nine of Washington's 11 runs, including four in the eighth and two in the ninth to tie it at 9 and force extra innings. Norichika Aoki and Carlos Gomez hit back-to-back homers in the bottom of the eighth to give Milwaukee a 9-7 lead, but Morse sliced a two-run shot down the right-field line off John Axford to send it to extra innings.
Morse came through again in the 11th, lacing a double down the left-field line off Jose Veras (3-4) to score two and give the Nationals their first lead since Steve Lombardozzi led off the game with a home run.
Tyler Clippard did what the Brewers' bullpen couldn't in the 11th, earning his 20th save despite allowing a leadoff home run to Corey Hart. Craig Stammen (4-1) earned the win with 2 1/3 scoreless innings. He struck out four.
Roger Bernadina also homered for the Nationals, who have won eight of nine and took three of four in the series. Rickie Weeks also hit a two-run homer for the Brewers, who have lost nine of 10.
Milwaukee's Mark Rogers struck out a career-high seven in his first major-league start since 2010 and was in line for his first big-league win before Washington rallied for five runs against the Brewers' bullpen to tie it.
Rogers, making his first start since Oct. 1, 2010, settled down after allowing a homer to Lombardozzi leading off the game. He gave up two runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings and struck out seven - a career high.
Washington's Gio Gonzalez was not as sharp in his six innings, allowing five runs - four earned - on five hits and five walks in his failed bid for a National League-best 14th win.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Lombardozzi's homer was the second of his career, and both have led off the first inning. … Brewers 3B Aramis Ramirez was out of the starting lineup with a sore left wrist. … The Brewers acquired RHP Fautino De Los Santos from Oakland in exchange for C George Kottaras and assigned him to Triple-A Nashville. … Rogers is the ninth starting pitcher used by Milwaukee this season. The team used six starters last season, the fewest in the majors. … The Nationals released OF/1B Xavier Nady … Nationals 1B Adam LaRoche left the game in the middle of the fourth inning with tightness in his back and was replaced by Tyler Moore, who had an RBI double in the sixth. LaRoche, who extended his hit streak to eight games, is listed as day-to-day.
Washington | Milwaukee | |
Gio Gonzalez | Player | Mark Rogers |
No Decision | W/L | No Decision |
6.0 | IP | 5.2 |
4 | Strikeouts | 7 |
5 | Hits | 6 |
6.00 | ERA | 3.18 |
Washington | Milwaukee | |
Steve Lombardozzi | Player | Corey Hart |
3 | Hits | 4 |
2 | RBI | 1 |
1 | HR | 1 |
6 | TB | 8 |
.600 | Avg | .800 |
Team | Hits | HR | TB | Avg | LOB | K | RBI | BB | SB | Errors |
Washington | 15 | 3 | 28 | .319 | 24 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
Milwaukee | 11 | 4 | 25 | .268 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 0 |