The Sports Xchange
Jul 25, 2017
WASHINGTON -- Milwaukee's slumbering offense woke up with a bang, as the Brewers cracked three home runs off Edwin Jackson on the way to an 8-0 thumping of the Washington Nationals on Tuesday.
Zach Davies blanked the Nationals to improve to 12-4 on the season, tied for second-most wins in the National League. He allowed three hits while striking out seven in 7 2/3 innings of work, his longest outing of the year, to help Milwaukee win for just the second time in nine games.
After missing a home run by inches earlier in his fourth-inning at-bat, Travis Shaw straightened one out and deposited a 1-2 pitch over the wall in center for his 23rd homer of the season and a 5-0 Milwaukee advantage.
Shaw's time atop the Brewers' home run list lasted one inning, as Eric Thames crushed a hanger from Jackson (1-1) off the third deck at Nationals Park for his 24th home run of the season. Catcher Manny Pina followed with his seventh homer to make it 7-0.
Before the home runs started flying, the Brewers took advantage of some sloppy Nationals fielding to score their first two runs. In the second inning, two singles and a flyout gave Milwaukee runners on first and third with one out. Davies put down a bunt that was fielded by Jackson, but his throw to the plate was not in time to nab Orlando Arcia.
In the fourth, Davies played a big role on offense once again. After an Arcia single, Davies' sacrifice attempt was misplayed by Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who made an errant throw to first. Davies hustled to second on an infield single by Ryan Braun, just beating the throw and setting the stage for Shaw's big blast.
Jackson departed after five innings having thrown 112 pitches, allowing seven runs (three earned).
NOTES: The Nationals announced that RHP Stephen Strasburg, who left his start Sunday early, had a nerve impingement in his pitching arm "that has been alleviated," according to a team spokesperson. Manager Dusty Baker said the pitcher is "doing fine," although it remains unclear if Strasburg will make his next start. ... Several media outlets reported that the Brewers acquired RHP Anthony Swarzak from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for minor league outfielder Ryan Cordell. Swarzak was 4-3 with one save and a 2.23 ERA in 41 appearances for the White Sox. ... Nationals SS Trea Turner took grounders with the team during batting practice while wearing a cast on his injured right wrist. He was scheduled to have an X-ray Tuesday. ... Milwaukee RHP Brandon Woodruff was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs. ... OF Bryce Harper extended his hitting streak to 17 games with an eighth-inning double.