Nationals win back-and-forth affair to earn sweep of Brewers

Field Level Media|published: Sun 12th April, 17:38 2026

Apr 12, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Washington Nationals pinch hitter Jose Tena (8) hits an RBI single during the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Keibert Ruiz singled in the go-ahead runs in the eighth inning and the visiting Washington Nationals completed a sweep Sunday with an 8-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, who have lost five consecutive games.

CJ Abrams and Jacob Young opened the eighth with consecutive singles off Angel Zerpa (0-1). Young advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Aaron Ashby relieved and Ruiz lined a 1-1 pitch up the middle to score both runners.

Gary Sanchez brought the Brewers even at 6-all with a three-run homer in the seventh. Reliever Ken Waldichuk exited with an injury and Cole Henry came on and finished the two-out walk to Brice Turang. William Contreras walked and Sanchez followed with his fourth homer.

PJ Poulin (2-0) got the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief. Gus Varland finished with a perfect ninth for his first save.

The Nationals erased a 3-2 deficit with four runs in the top half of the seventh off the Brewers bullpen.

Abner Uribe relieved to open the seventh and Jacob Young doubled, taking third on an error. Pinch-hitter Jose Tena singled in the tying run. Zerpa relieved with two outs and walked James Wood. Curtis Mead followed with another pinch single to make it 4-3, sending Wood to third.

Wood then was out at home on a double steal, but the call was overturned, extending the lead to 5-3. Brady House added an RBI single.

Brice Turang homered twice for the Brewers with solo shots in third and fifth innings. His third homer in the fifth put the Brewers in front 3-2.

Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff retired the first nine hitters before the Nationals scored twice in the fourth. Wood led off with his fifth homer. Luis Garcia Jr. reached on an error, advanced to third on Daylen Lile's double, and scored on CJ Abrams' sacrifice fly.

Jake Bauers brought the Brewers even in the bottom half with his fourth homer.

Brewers designated hitter Christian Yelich left in the fifth inning with left hamstring tightness, the team announced.

--Field Level Media

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