After taxing their bullpen, the Milwaukee Brewers needed Yovani Gallardo to pitch
Yovani Gallardo
deep into the game last night. Gallardo didn’t get the memo, allowing 8-runs on 9-hits in just 3-innings of work. The Brewers fell to the Nationals 10-5, suffering their 6th straight loss.
Bryce Harper homered on his first swing since coming off the disabled list to set the tone for the Nationals. Harper had missed 31 games with bursitis in his left knee.
The Nationals moved two games above the .500 mark for the first time since late May. The offense put up double-digit runs for the second straight game after scoring 13-runs in a win over the New York Mets on Sunday.
Wisconsin native Jordan Zimmerman won for the 12th time on the mound and added 3-hits, including a double to start Washington’s 5-run third inning.
It was the second straight short outing for Gallardo (6-8). He last just four innings against the Cubs at Miller Park on June 26th. In his last two starts, Gallardo has allowed 17 hits, 13 earned runs and six walks over 7-innings.
AUDIO: Ron Roenicke on Gallardo’s struggles :12
AUDIO: Yovani Gallardo isn’t happy :15
Burke Badenhop, Tom Gorzelanny and Johnny Hellweg combined to pitch the final five innings, with Hellweg allowing two runs (one earned) in the 8th inning.
Rickie Weeks and Juan Francisco hit back-to-back homers for the Brewers in the 6th inning in the loss.
Game 2 of the series is tonight. Wily Peralta (5-9, 5.58) pitches for the Brewers. Stephen Strasburg (4-6, 2.41) goes for the Nationals.