The Associated Press
MILWAUKEE—Tanner Roark did a stellar job in taking the place of Stephen Strasburg.
Roark—called on to replace the Nationals’ injured ace—held the Brewers without a run over seven innings as Washington snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 3-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers yesterday.
“We had the off day so I was on five days’ rest anyway, so I felt good,” Roark noted.
Roark (7-5) held the Brewers to seven hits and struck out seven while walking just one.
Strasburg was placed on the 15-day disabled list prior to the game with an upper back strain.
“His last two starts on this road trip were outstanding,” Nationals’ manager Dusty Baker said of Roark.
Strasburg said after the game that he felt soreness in his back while running prior to Saturday’s game.
“There’s still a lot of baseball to play. I know the team needs me in big spots,” Strasburg said.
“I’m going to keep working at it and get back as soon as I can.”
Roark also played a part in forcing Milwaukee starter Jimmy Nelson from the game by drawing a pair of walks—only the third pitcher in the majors to accomplish the feat this season.
Roark was lifted after throwing 95 pitches on top of the 38 he tossed in a bullpen session Saturday.
Jose Lobaton hit his first homer of the season in the seventh off Milwaukee reliever Jacob Barnes (0-1).
Clint Robinson hit a two-run shot in the eighth.
Shawn Kelley retired four batters for his third save.
He gave up a solo home run to pinch-hitter Martin Maldonado with two outs in the ninth.
With Lobaton’s home run, the Nationals reached the 100 homer mark in 76 games—the fewest games since the franchise moved to Washington.
It broke the mark of the 2006 team, which hit its 100th home run in game No. 93.
Elsewhere in the NL, Cincinnati blanked San Diego 3-0, Miami beat Chicago 6-1, Atlanta downed New York 5-2, San Francisco edged Philadelphia 8-7, Colorado topped Arizona 9-7, and Pittsburgh nipped L.A. 4-3
St. Louis dumped Seattle 11-6 in interleague play.
