Nationals 3, Brewers 0
MILWAUKEE -- Home runs by Wilson Ramos and Adam LaRoche complemented seven scoreless innings from starter Dan Haren as the Washington Nationals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 on Saturday night at Miller Park.
Both of Washington's home runs came against Brewers starter Donovan Hand (0-3), who scattered five hits and a walk in seven innings and finished with three strikeouts.
In six starts this season, Hand has not allowed more than three earned runs but has yet to earn a victory.
Haren (6-11) won consecutive starts for the first time since May 9, allowing four hits and two walks with six strikeouts. In his last two starts, Haren is 2-0 and has allowed just one run, seven hits and three walks in 14 innings with 12 strikeouts.
Tyler Clippard preserved the shutout in the eighth and Rafael Soriano worked a perfect ninth for his 28th save of the season.
The Nationals' strong pitching continued an offensive slump for Milwaukee.
Since scoring two runs in the ninth inning of their 3-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, the Brewers have managed to score just two in their last 27 innings while collecting a combined 18 hits and striking out 22 times.
Milwaukee's only scoring opportunity came in the first inning. Rickie Weeks led off with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Norichika Aoki. Jean Segura struck out and Jonathan Lucroy walked before Carlos Gomez ended the inning with a liner to short, leaving Gomez stranded at third.
Anthony Rendon gave the Nationals a 1-0 lead in the second with a sacrifice fly to right. Aoki's throw was right on the money, but Lucroy missed the tag at the plate on sliding Jayson Werth by a few inches.
NOTES: Brewers manager Ron Roenicke still was not sure that Tom Gorzelanny would be able to make his next start. Gorzelanny's elbow remained swollen a day after being struck by a Jayson Werth line drive. ... Ross Detwiler might not return this season, Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. Detwiler has been sidelined with a back strain since July 7 and needs at least two more weeks before he can resume baseball-related activities. GM Mike Rizzo said he will meet with Detwiler and the team's medical staff sometime next week. ... Roenicke plans to platoon Rickie Weeks and Scooter Gennett at second base during the next few weeks. Weeks started Saturday. ... Johnson moved CF Denard Span back into the leadoff spot against Hand. Span came into the game hitting .312 this season but went 0-for-4 on Saturday.
