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Washington Nationals: Offense Recovers In 7-4 Win Over Brewers

By Grant Thomas

Jul 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) celebrates with left fielder Jayson Werth (28) after hitting a three run home run in the first inning off Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Matt Garza (22) (not pictured) at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) celebrates with left fielder Jayson Werth (28) after hitting a three run home run in the first inning off Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Matt Garza (22) (not pictured) at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Home runs from Harper, Lobaton, and Zimmerman lifted the Washington Nationals to a 7-4 win this afternoon against Matt Garza and the Milwaukee Brewers. 

The Washington Nationals’ lineup experienced a sort of butterfly effect today. After dropping two straight against a mediocre Milwaukee Brewers team (37-47), a spark needed to be found. Manager Dusty Baker moved Bryce Harper to the cleanup spot and Daniel Murphy up to third, and the offense reaped benefits from the small change.

It came at an opportune time, as starter Tanner Roark had a shaky four earned-run outing and allowed seven hits, but he still picked up his eighth win of the season.

The offense came to support him early. After Ben Revere and Jayson Werth got on base with singles in the first inning, Bryce Harper launched his 18th home run of the season for an early three-run advantage.

In the bottom of the second, Jose Lobaton hit his second home run of the season and second against Milwaukee to extend the lead to four.

Roark’s command started to escape him in the top of the third, as five singles by the Brewers turned into four runs on RBI hits from Scooter Gennett and Jonathan Lucroy. A defensive mishap on a strikeout of Chris Carter allowed Gennett to score on a steal attempt by Lucroy.Lucroy stopped between first and second with Gennett on third, and the run-down allowed the fourth run to score.

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Roark’s last start against the Brewers in Milwaukee (seven scoreless innings) was one of his best on the season. He settled down after the shaky third inning, found his touch, and went seven innings once again.

In the bottom of the third, Ryan Zimmerman‘s two-out walk allowed him to take second on a wild pitch and score on a Stephen Drew ground-rule double. That sequence gave the Washington Nationals a 5-4 advantage.

Two innings later, Zimmerman hit his 12th home run of the season on a hanging slider. That drove in two runs and marked the end of the day for Matt Garza (4.1 IP, eight hits, two walks, two strikeouts) as the Washington Nationals took a 7-4 lead.

After Roark, Sammy Solis and Shawn Kelley pitched scoreless seventh and eighth innings after working out of a leadoff double allowed by Solis. Papelbon came on for the save in the ninth and escaped with his 17th of the season when he struck out the side.

Next: Once Criticized Players Leading Charge For Nats

Next Game: The Washington Nationals (51-35) will send Lucas Giolito (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound at Citi Field tomorrow night against the New York Mets (46-38) for the beginning of a four-game series The rookie will face old veteran Bartolo Colon (7-4, 2.87), who is in the midst of another age-defying season.

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