Willy Adames hit a home run and drove in four runs, Garrett Mitchell also homered for the first time in over a year, and the Milwaukee Brewers avoided a series sweep by defeating the Washington Nationals 9-3 on Sunday.
Adames smashed his 15th home run against Amos Willingham in the eighth inning to extend Milwaukee’s lead to 9-3. He also had a double and two singles earlier in the game.
Mitchell, who missed the first part of the season due to a finger injury, gave the Brewers a 6-2 lead in the fourth inning with his home run. Adames contributed further with an RBI single in the same inning.
The victory was crucial for the Brewers, as it prevented them from experiencing their first four-game losing streak of the season. Despite recent struggles with a 3-7 record in their last ten games, they head into the All-Star break holding a 4 ½ game lead over the second-place St. Louis Cardinals.
“We knew we had a talented, determined group in spring training, and we’ve competed hard all year,” Adames commented. “That’s why we’ve been in first place almost all season.”
Colin Rea (9-3) pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits after relieving opener Rob Zastryzny. He struck out seven and walked one.
Manager Pat Murphy acknowledged the challenge of transitioning from opener to starter but praised Rea for settling in and pitching effectively after a shaky start.
For the Nationals, Jake Irvin (7-8) struggled, giving up seven runs (six earned) on nine hits in four innings.
“We’ll take a look over the break and work on getting him back on track for the second half,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said of Irvin’s performance.
William Contreras also homered for the Brewers, hitting a solo shot in the third inning. Washington scored one run in the fourth inning with Lane Thomas and Juan Yepez contributing singles.
