Nationals launch 8 homers, rout Brewers 15-2
WASHINGTON -- The Washington Nationals staged their own version of the Home Run Derby, with Michael Blazek serving as the unwilling batting practice pitcher.
Washington tied a franchise record with eight homers and matched two major league marks during a prolific third inning that highlighted a 15-2 rout of the fading Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday.
Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman each homered twice for the Nationals, who banged out 19 hits in reaching double figures in runs for the 18th time this season.
"We have a lineup that can do some special things," Harper said. "Anything can happen."
Washington equaled two big league records in a seven-run third: Most consecutive home runs (four) and most home runs in an inning (five).
"We had a big offensive barrage today," manager Dusty Baker said, understating the obvious.
All the home runs in the third inning were hit off Blazek (0-1), who was making his first major league start following 108 appearances in relief.
"I felt like I made some decent pitches but they were locked in on everything," the right-hander said. "It's not how I pictured it going."
He could have hardly imagined becoming the first pitcher in baseball history to allow five home runs in an inning.
Only five other major league teams hit five homers in an inning, a feat that had not occurred since Milwaukee did it in 2006. Washington became the eighth team to hit four in a row, the first since Arizona in 2010.
After Harper connected in the first inning, Brian Goodwin started the long-ball party in the third with a two-run drive after Blazek walked Washington starter Max Scherzer.
"The last thing I wanted to do was lead off the inning with a walk, especially to a pitcher," Blazek said. "It just kept building and building from there."
Wilmer Difo, Harper and Zimmerman followed with long home runs.
The streak was interrupted when Daniel Murphy flied out, after which some of the fans reacted with good-natured booing.
Anthony Rendon resumed the fun with a shot to dead center that finally chased Blazek, who gave up seven hits -- six of them long balls.
Zimmerman and Jose Lobaton both homered off Wily Peralta in the fourth for a 15-1 lead.
The eight home runs tied the franchise mark set in July 1978 by the Montreal Expos against Atlanta.
Pitching on his 33rd birthday, Scherzer (12-5) allowed one run over six innings and struck out nine to bring his total this year to 201 -- his sixth consecutive season with at least 200, the longest active streak in the majors.
He contributed offensively with two walks and an infield hit.
"What a birthday gift! I wanted to get a win and a knock," he said. "Fifteen runs, a pitcher's best friend."
Harper chipped in with three hits and four RBIs while extending his career-best hitting streak to 19 games.
Travis Shaw and Lewis Brinson homered for the Brewers, who have lost nine of 11 to drop from first place in the NL Central.
"It's on to the next challenge," manager Craig Counsell said, referring to a weekend series against the division-leading Cubs in Milwaukee.
One positive for the Brewers in this one: Left fielder Hernan Perez pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
MOVE OVER, HONDO
Zimmerman's two home runs upped his total with the Nationals to 237, tied with Frank Howard for most in D.C. history.
Known affectionately as "Hondo," the 6-foot-7 Howard played with the expansion Senators from 1965-71.
ROSTER MOVE
The Brewers added RHP Anthony Swarzak to the roster after obtaining him Wednesday in a trade with the White Sox.
https://youtu.be/DCctC9X2Q2U
TRAINER'S ROOM
Nationals: RHP Stephen Strasburg (10-3, 3.25 ERA) was placed on the 10-day disabled list with an elbow impingement. Baker expects Strasburg to miss only one start. ... OF Michael Taylor (oblique strain) is almost ready to begin baseball activities, Baker said. Taylor has been on the DL since July 7.
UP NEXT
Brewers: Brent Suter (1-1, 2.84 ERA) takes the mound Friday night against the Cubs.
Nationals: Tanner Roark (8-6, 4.83 ERA) helps Washington launch a three-game series at home against the Colorado Rockies.
