Nationals 4, Brewers 1
Jordan Zimmermann returned to form with six scoreless innings and Bryce Harper homered and drove in two runs as visiting Washington took the opener of the three-game series.
Anthony Rendon recorded an RBI single and Jayson Werth collected three hits for the Nationals, who climbed within 6 1/2 games of Cincinnati for the second National League wild card berth.
Zimmerman (13-6) snapped a personal three-game losing streak, allowing four hits and four walks while striking out five. The All-Star had gone 4-0 over seven starts prior to his skid. Rafael Soriano struck out two in a perfect ninth for his 27th save.
Washington got on the board in the fifth as Ian Desmond hit a leadoff double, stole third and came home on Milwaukee third baseman Jeff Bianchi's error. Harper, who left Wednesday's game with a mild spasm in his hip area, launched his 15th blast of the season off Burke Badenhop in the sixth and plated a run in the ninth with a fielder's-choice grounder.
Jonathan Lucroy belted a solo home run and Rickie Weeks notched two of the five hits by the Brewers, who have lost four of five at home. Alfredo Figaro (1-3) took the loss after allowing one run and two hits over four innings in relief of starter Tom Gorzelanny, who left in the second with an elbow injury.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Gorzelanny exited in the second inning after being hit on his left elbow by a line drive off the bat of Werth. X-rays were negative and the injury was diagnosed as a bruise. ... Zimmermann improved to 4-0 lifetime against Milwaukee. ... Washington doubled its run production from its two-game interleague series against Detroit. The Nationals were outscored 16-2 in the two losses to the Tigers.