Nationals at Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers aim to cap a wildly successful 10-game homestand on Wednesday afternoon when they bid for their sixth straight win to conclude a three-game set against the reeling Washington Nationals. Milwaukee has surrendered just nine runs in the last five contests, and that stretch includes an 18-inning marathon on Saturday.
Known for his all-out defensive gems, Lorenzo Cain provided the signature moment of Tuesday's 6-0 victory at the plate as his three-run double ignited a six-run seventh inning -- all with two outs. Reigning National League Most Valuable Player Christian Yelich had a hit and scored a run for the third straight contest, boosting his totals to nine and six, respectively, over his last seven games. While Milwaukee moved a season high-tying six games above. 500, Washington has seen injuries take their toll in the team's 3-10 slide. Anthony Rendon's return after a 14-game absence due to a bruised left elbow was short-lived on Tuesday, as he was ejected in the seventh for arguing balls and strikes.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN (Washington), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jeremy Hellickson (2-0, 5.33 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Brandon Woodruff (4-1, 4.71)
Hellickson answered a pair of disastrous starts with a strong one on Friday, but the result was the same as he received his third straight no-decision. Facing Philadelphia for the third time this season, the 32-year-old allowed two runs on four hits while striking out a season-high nine batters in 5 1/3 innings. Ryan Braun (5-for-14), Cain (5-for-14) and Yelich (9-for-26) have fared well versus Hellickson, although the hurler owns a 3-1 mark despite allowing the club to bat .308 against him.
Woodruff improved to 3-0 in his last four starts on Friday after permitting one run on six hits in five innings for the second straight outing in a 3-1 win versus the New York Mets. The 26-year-old has kept the ball in the park in both contests after serving up three homers in his previous two. Woodruff owns a 1-0 mark with an 0.71 ERA in three career appearances (one start) against Washington, with Rendon (1-for-6) and Adam Eaton (0-for-3, two strikeouts) struggling in small sample sizes.
WALK-OFFS
1. Eaton has one homer, two RBIs and three runs scored during his six-game hitting streak.
2. Milwaukee LF Ben Gamel has 15 hits and nine runs scored in his last 11 contests.
3. Washington 2B Brian Dozier is 0-for-10 in his last three games.