Nationals avoid Series Sweep

Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper watches his three-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Nationals Park, Wednesday, July 6, 2016, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

The Washington Nationals avoid a sweep as they beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-4 in the final of their three-game series.

Washington got off to a hot start. CF Ben Revere and LF Jayson Werth hit back-to-back singles to start the bottom of the first inning. With one out, RF Bryce Harper homered and drove in three runs for the Nationals.

One inning later, C Jose Lobaton hit his second home run of the season to put the Nationals up 4-0.

Milwaukee tied the game in the top of the third. RF Hernan Perez and LF Ramon Flores hit back-to-back singles to lead off the inning. SS Jonathan Villar singled with one out to load the bases.

2B Scooter Gennett followed with another single, driving in Hernan Perez and Ramon Flores to half the deficit. All-Star C Jonathan Lucroy drove in Jonathan Villar with yet another single. Scooter Gennett advanced to third base on the play.

As 1B Chris Carter struck out, Jonathan Lucroy pretended to steal second base. Jose Lobaton took the bait and Scooter Gennett took off to steal home plate as soon as the catcher threw the ball.

The Nationals regained the lead in the bottom of the frame. 1B Ryan Zimmerman drew a walk with two outs and moved to second base on a wild pitch. He came home on a ground rule double by SS Stephen Drew to put Washington up 5-4.

In the fifth inning, Washington extended their lead to three runs. 3B Anthony Rendon was hit by a pitch with one out and Ryan Zimmerman followed with a two-run homer.

CL Jonathan Papelbon pitched a scoreless three-K inning to earn his 17th save of the season. He now posts a 3.04 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP.

Milwaukee’s SP Matt Garza (1-2) pitched only 4.1 innings, surrendering 8 hits, 2 walks and 7 earned runs while striking out 2. ERA and WHIP increased to 5.54 and 1.77, respectively.

Washington’s SP Tanner Roark (8-5) worked 7 innings, allowing 7 hits, 1 walk and 4 earned runs while fanning 6. He has a 3.07 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP on the season.

Ryan Zimmerman went 2-for-3 with 2 runs, 1 HR and 2 RBI. He is now batting .221 this season and has 44 runs, 12 HR and 38 RBI.

The Milwaukee Brewers (37-47) return home to host a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals (43-40) from Friday to Sunday.

The Washington Nationals (51-35) travel to the New York Mets (46-38) to play a four-game series from Thursday through Sunday.