Yelich hits 16th HR, Brewers top Nats 7-3 for 6th win in row
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Yet again, Christian Yelich quickly swung things in Milwaukee's favor.
The reigning NL MVP connected in the first inning for his major league-leading 16th home run and the Brewers won their sixth straight game, beating the Washington Nationals 7-3 on Wednesday.
Yelich's solo drive came on the fourth pitch of the afternoon from Jeremy Hellickson (2-1).
"Swing at good pitches," said Yelich, who finished with three hits and scored twice. "Whether it's the first pitch, the last pitch, somewhere in-between."
The Nationals lost all three at Miller Park, marking the first time they've been swept this season, and have dropped four in a row overall.
Washington loaded the bases with one out in the ninth inning, but Josh Hader struck out pinch-hitter Kurt Suzuki and Adam Eaton for his 10th save in 10 chances.
"We battled back again, but we've got to start playing clean baseball, stop giving other teams 30 outs and playing good baseball," Washington manager Dave Martinez said. "If you think about it, on the other end, we have 27 outs, 13 of them were strikeouts, so we've got to start putting the ball in play."
Mike Moustakas and Manny Pina also connected for Milwaukee, which leads the National League with 65 home runs.
The Brewers took advantage of Washington misplays to make it 4-0 in the first inning. After third baseman Anthony Rendon made an error on Mike Moustakas' grounder and Hellickson walked Ryan Braun, left fielder Adam Eaton overran a towering flyball by Eric Thames that dropped a few feet into fair territory and bounced into the seats for a ground-rule double, scoring Moustakas.
Orlando Arcia added a two-run single, with Thames reaching the plate when right fielder Victor Robles' throw sailed over the head of catcher Yan Gomes.
Moustakas hit a two-run homer for a 6-0 in the second. Pina connected in the fifth for his first home run of the season.
Brandon Woodruff (5-1) struck out a career-high nine while notching his third straight win. He gave up one run in six innings.
"I tell myself to just go out every inning and attack the guys, and get strike one first, go right after them," Woodruff said.
The Nationals made it 7-3 with two runs in the seventh off Matt Albers. Wilmer Difo had an RBI single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by pinch-hitter Howie Kendrick.
RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE
Woodruff was especially effective facing the meat of the Nationals' order. Six of his strikeouts came against Washington's No. 3, 4 and 5 hitters (Rendon twice, Gomes three times and Brian Dozier once).
GRIDIRON DIAMONDS
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, whose team won the college football championship last season, threw out a ceremonial first pitch. He was accompanied by former Brewers infielder Bill Spiers, who was a Clemson punter and is now a member of Swinney's staff.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Nationals: OF Juan Soto (back spasms) is expected to return from the injured list on Saturday, Martinez said.
UP NEXT
Nationals: Thursday against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Patrick Corbin (2-1, 3.71 ERA) gave up three runs in six innings in his last start, May 4 at Philadelphia.
Brewers: Friday in Chicago against the Cubs. Gio Gonzalez (0-0, 2.61 ERA) makes his third start since being signed as a free agent on April 27.
