Heroics from Abrams, Nunez give Nationals win over Brewers

Nasim Nunez recorded a pair of RBI singles and C.J. Abrams scored twice in the Nationals’ 3-2 win over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday afternoon.

The win was Washington’s first of the three-game series.

The Nationals, as they have throughout the season, used an opener on Sunday to ease the load for an inconsistent starting rotation. Reliever P.J. Poulin took the mound in the top of the first, ultimately tossing two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk with two strikeouts.

Zack Littell, whose ERA ballooned above seven after he allowed eight runs in each of his three previous starts, tossed 3 2/3 innings of bulk relief for the Nationals. He allowed one run with a walk and a strikeout, earning the victory for Washington.

After the two teams failed to plate a run in the first four innings, Milwaukee opened the scoring in the top of the fifth. An infield single, a walk and a well-placed bunt sent two runners into scoring position for Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz.

He took advantage of the opportunity, sending a sacrifice fly to the warning track in center field. Milwaukee’s Brandon Lockridge scored on the play, giving the Brewers a 1-0 lead.

Brewers pitcher Logan Henderson took a perfect game into the bottom of the fifth until a stroke of bad luck doomed his chance at history and Milwaukee’s best shot at a win.

Abrams, the Nationals’ shortstop, smoked a line drive down the first-base line, but Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers dove to nab the ball on a bounce at the edge of the infield.

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But Henderson didn’t cover the bag for his first baseman. The second-year pitcher stumbled as he stepped off the mound, allowing Abrams to beat everyone in the race to first base.

Abrams, after stealing second base, scored on a Nunez single to tie the game. The next batter, Jose Tena, gave Washington the lead after a triple off of the right-center field wall that allowed Nunez to score easily.

Henderson allowed the two fifth-inning runs, ultimately pitching six innings with three hits, eight strikeouts and no walks.

Nunez hit another single in the seventh to score Abrams, providing the Nationals with an insurance run that stretched the lead to 3-1.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee’s offense failed to find a spark. Washington’s pitchers recorded 12 consecutive outs between the fifth and ninth innings, until Nationals outfielder James Wood lost what should have been a routine fly ball in the late afternoon sun. The pop-up dropped into the outfield grass, allowing Brewers designated hitter Gary Sanchez to reach base safely.

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Blake Perkins, who took Sanchez’s place as a pinch runner, scored two batters later on a groundout by outfielder Garrett Mitchell.

Nationals reliever Richard Lovelady ended the would-be rally, earning a save for Washington.

With the win, the Nationals rose to 16-19 on the young season. Washington will have an off day on Monday before welcoming the Minnesota Twins for a three-game series at Nationals Park.

• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.