Carter, Jeffress lead Brewers past Nationals

MILWAUKEE -- Chris Carter hit a three-run homer, and the Milwaukee Brewers handed Washington its season-high seventh straight loss with a 6-5 victory over the Nationals on Saturday.

Carter connected for his 19th homer with two out in the first. Jonathan Villar had three hits for Milwaukee, including an RBI single in the second.

Matt Garza (1-0) pitched six innings for his first win in his third start of the year. The 32-year-old right-hander, who missed the first two months of the season due to a back injury, gave up four runs and seven hits.

Washington left-hander Gio Gonzalez (3-7) pitched a season-low three innings in his sixth consecutive loss. He was charged with six runs and six hits with five strikeouts and one walk.

It got worse for the Nationals after the game when manager Dusty Baker announced ace Stephen Strasburg would be replaced by right-hander Tanner Roark for the series finale on Sunday.

Strasburg, who is 10-0 with a 2.90 ERA, felt pain in his back while throwing before Saturday's loss. He also missed his last scheduled start with an upper back strain.

Daniel Murphy had three hits for Washington, which trailed 6-1 after three. Danny Espinosa drove in two runs with a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly.

Ryan Zimmerman's sacrifice fly got the Nationals within one in the seventh, but Murphy was stranded at third when Anthony Rendon grounded out to end the inning.

Jeremy Jeffress worked the ninth for his 21st save in 22 opportunities.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Nationals: Closer Jonathan Papelbon, who is on the disabled list with an intercostal strain, threw a 40-pitch bullpen session. "He said his control wasn't where it was, but that's not what we were worried about," manager Dusty Baker said. "The purpose of the session was to see how he felt. He came in full of life."

Brewers: Ryan Braun was struck solidly on the left foot by a pitch from Gonzalez in the third. After hobbling to first base, he remained in the game.

UP NEXT

Nationals: RHP Roark (6-5, 3.18 ERA) last pitched on Tuesday at the Dodgers, allowing three runs and six hits in 7 1/3 innings in a 3-2 loss.

Brewers: Jimmy Nelson (5-6, 3.80 ERA) is 1-1 with a 7.84 ERA in two career starts versus Washington, both coming last season. Milwaukee is winless in Nelson's last four starts.