MILWAUKEE — Chris Carter hit a three-run homer, and the Milwaukee Brewers handed Washington its season-high seventh straight loss with a 6-5 victory over the Nationals on Saturday.
Carter connected for his 19th homer with two out in the first. Jonathan Villar had three hits for Milwaukee, including an RBI single in the second.
Matt Garza (1-0) pitched six innings for his first win in his third start of the year. The 32-year-old right-hander, who missed the first two months of the season due to a back injury, gave up four runs and seven hits.
Washington left-hander Gio Gonzalez (3-7) pitched a season-low three innings in his sixth consecutive loss. He was charged with six runs and six hits with five strikeouts and one walk.
Daniel Murphy had three hits for Washington, which trailed 6-1 after three. Danny Espinosa drove in two runs with a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly.
Ryan Zimmerman’s sacrifice fly got the Nationals within one in the seventh, but Murphy was stranded at third when Anthony Rendon grounded out to end the inning.
Jeremy Jeffress worked the ninth for his 21st save in 22 opportunities.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Nationals: Closer Jonathan Papelbon, who is on the disabled list with an intercostal strain, threw a 40-pitch bullpen session. "He said his control wasn’t where it was, but that’s not what we were worried about," manager Dusty Baker said. "The purpose of the session was to see how he felt. He came in full of life."
Brewers: Ryan Braun was struck solidly on the left foot by a pitch from Gonzalez in the third. After hobbling to first base, he remained in the game.
UP NEXT
Nationals: Stephen Strasburg (10-0, 2.90 ERA) pitches Sunday after missing his last scheduled start with an upper back strain. Strasburg is 0-2 with a 5.30 ERA in three career starts against the Brewers.
Brewers: Jimmy Nelson (5-6, 3.80 ERA) is 1-1 with a 7.84 ERA in two career starts versus Washington, both coming last season. Milwaukee is winless in Nelson’s last four starts.
