Braun hits two-run homer to spark a six-run sixth inning, Brewers beat Nationals 6-1

Brewers’ Braun starts six-run inning with homer

WASHINGTON — Ryan Braun hit a two-run home run to jumpstart a six-run sixth inning, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Washington Nationals 7-1 Monday.

The Brewers sent 11 batters to the plate in an inning that helped them take three of four from the Nationals after being swept by Pittsburgh to start the road trip.

Jody Gerut also homered and had three RBIs for Milwaukee. Gerut had gone 90 at-bats without a home run before his solo shot in the eighth.

Yovani Gallardo (12-10) gave up one run on four hits and four walks in five innings. He struck out eight.

Nationals starter Collin Balester (1-4) lasted just 1 1-3 innings in his last start Tuesday against the Rockies, the shortest stint of his career. He started off strong against the Brewers and had a career-high six strikeouts, but the end result was his third loss in as many starts.

The right-hander held the Brewers hitless until Prince Fielder and Casey McGehee hit back-to-back singles with one out in the fourth.

He took the mound for the sixth inning holding a 1-0 lead, but things turned around in a hurry.

Frank Catalanatto led off with a double then Braun crushed a first-pitch fastball deep into the left-field seats.

Balester gave way to Jason Bergmann after giving up another single to Fielder and walking McGehee. Bergmann walked Mike Cameron and gave up an RBI single to Jason Kendall before being pulled in favor of Ron Villone, who promptly allowed a two-run single to Gerut.

Milwaukee sent nine batters to the plate before Washington got an out, and even then Felipe Lopez earned an RBI when he hit into a fielder’s choice.

The Nationals eked out their only run in the second. Willie Harris led off with a double. Alberto Gonzalez followed with a strikeout, but a wild pitch allowed him to reach first and Harris went to third. Harris then scored on a fielder’s choice by Wil Nieves.

NOTES: Nationals LHP Sean Burnett was available only in an emergency after hurting his left thumb trying to field a grounder Sunday. “Hopefully he can go tomorrow,” manager Jim Riggleman said before Monday’s game. X-rays showed nothing was broken, but Burnett’s thumb was sore and he had trouble gripping a ball. … Washington OF Elijah Dukes was out of the starting lineup again because of a blister on his left thumb. “Just giving it another day,” Riggleman said. “We anticipate he’ll be back in there” Tuesday. … Brewers manager Ken Macha gave INF Craig Counsell the day off. Counsell is in an 0-for-11 slump and is hitting .214 (12 for 56) in August. “He’s had a great year and I want him to continue having a great year, so we’ll give him a little blow,” Macha said. … Braun is now 3 for 9 with two home runs when facing Balester.