Domingo Santana: Santana smacks two-run homer vs. Nats

The Nationals open up a nine-game homestand against teams with losing records as they attempt to close a four-game gap on the National League East-leading New York Mets. If Davis continues to slug well for the foreseeable future, the Brewers should find a way to keep Davis in the lineup while still giving Santana playing time so they can assess his abilities. The kid’s willing to play there despite being a predominantly corner outfielder, so the Brewers should continue allowing him to display his defensive versatility and his pop at the plate. Brewers shortstop Jean Segura had two hits.Taylor hit a two-run homer with two outs in the second to give the Nationals a 2-0 lead. Counsell even said, “That’s a (ESPN) SportsCenter play”. 333 with 18 home runs and 77 RBIs in the minors this season.

Milwaukee starter Jimmy Nelson (10-9) gave up five hits and two runs in 5 1/3 innings.

Jonathan Lucroy, who has struggled offensively this season, had three hits for the Brewers in the win.

294 since being recalled June 11 from Triple-A Colorado Springs. 256 with two home runs in 14 games.

Zimmermann, a graduate of Auburndale High School before pitching at UW-Stevens Point-has fared well against his homestate team, going 4-1 against Milwaukee in six career starts with a 3.71 ERA and 1.382 WHIP in 34 innings, striking out 36.

Brewers: RHP Matt Garza (6-13, 4.98 ERA) looks to bounce back from his previous outing when he lasted only five innings, giving up five runs in a 6-2 loss to the Marlins. “If that means Santana has to be put in center field nearly every time he goes out there, so be it. After all, Santana told Tom Haudricourt of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel before his start Friday that “(I haven’t played center) a lot. In six starts since returning from the DL with right shoulder tendinitis, Garza is 2-3 with a 3.44 ERA. On Rendon’s hit, Werth was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.Jungmann gave up seven hits and five runs in four innings before he was lifted for a pinch hitter in the top of the fifth.

Jungmann, whom Milwaukee took 12th overall four years ago, made his major-league debut June 9 and has won two of his three August starts after ending July with a pair of losses.

The Brewers have an off-day Monday before opening at two-game series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday at Progressive Field.