Walker’s early homer backs Nelson’s gem
One first-inning swing of the bat was all the Milwaukee Brewers needed to beat the Washington Nationals on Friday night.
Neil Walker’s home run two batters into the bottom of the first gave Jimmy Nelson a 1-0 lead, and he and two relievers made it stand the rest of the way at Miller Park as the Brewers ran their winning streak to three.
Nelson was superb, working his way out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the third and sailing from there en route to a career-high-tying 11 strikeouts.
Josh Hader and Corey Knebel combined to pitch a scoreless eighth and ninth, respectively, and for the second time in two seasons – and 22nd time in franchise history – the Brewers had won
a game by a score of 1-0 on a solo homer.
The last time it happened was July 4, 2016, at Washington on a fifth-inning homer by Martin Maldonado off Max Scherzer.
The shutout was also the ninth of the season for the Brewers and second in six games.
Nelson came into the game having won just once in his previous five starts.
It appeared as if he’d have a tough time holding onto that advantage in the third, after issuing a pair of walks to start and then hitting Ryan Zimmerman to load the bases with one out.
But he recovered to strike out both Howie Kendrick and Jayson Werth. Then after getting Michael Taylor to ground out to open the fourth, Nelson proceeded to strike out the next five batters, with a called third on Daniel Murphy giving him a career-high-tying 11 to finish the fifth.
The Brewers didn’t manage anything against Tanner Roark after Walker’s homer for the next three innings, with Ryan Braun’s ejection in the fourth not helping matters.
Braun, who was called out on strikes by homeplate umpire Mark Ripperger in the first, struck out swinging in the fourth and was tossed almost immediately thereafter for his comments as he headed for the dugout.
It was the second time Braun was ejected this season for arguing balls and strikes, and the sixth ejection of his career.
Nelson (11-6) allowed three hits and three walks to go with his 11 strikeouts. BEHIND THE BOX SCORE
The Brewers issued a brief update regarding the condition of minor-leaguer Julio Mendez, who suffered a cardiac event after being hit by a pitch in a rookie Arizona League game on Aug. 26 in Tempe.
“Julio remains in a Phoenix area hospital in critical but stable condition,” general manager David Stearns said in a statement. “This continues to be a very serious situation and we send our thoughts and prayers to him. Julio’s family is by his side and asks for privacy at this time.”
Third baseman Lucas Erceg was promoted from advanced Class A Carolina to Class AAA Colorado Springs to help the Sky Sox as they make their first appearance in the Pacific Coast League playoffs since 1997. He was in the Sky Sox lineup Friday night. STAT SHEET
Villar and Zach Davies were named the Brewers’ players and pitchers of the month for August, respectively. Villar hit .364 with three homers and eight RBI while Davies went 4-2 with a 2.06 ERA in six starts.
With 193 homers, the Brewers are nearing the sixth season in which they’ve produced 200 or more. They set the franchise record of 231 in 2007, and their total of 202 in 2012 ranks fifth in club history. TAKEAWAY
Save for the one hiccup in the third, Nelson was terrific. Hader and Knebel followed with some outstanding relief, and the Brewers were able to make Walker’s first-inning homer stand up. A hard-fought, satisfying victory to open September. RECORD
This year: 71-64 (38-31 home; 33-33 away)
Last year: 59-76 ATTENDANCE Friday: 40,044 2017 total: 2,144,492 (31,080 avg.)
Last year: 1,985,575 (28,776 avg.) NEXT GAME
Saturday: Brewers vs. Nationals, 6:10 p.m. Milwaukee RHP Brandon Woodruff (1-1, 1.62) vs. Washington RHP Max Scherzer (13-5, 2.21). TV: FS Wisconsin. Radio: AM-620.