Nationals back Zimmerman in 4-1 win over Brewers

MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin-native Jordan Zimmermann pitched his first game against Milwaukee, and his teammates hit three home runs in the Washington Nationals’ 4-1 victory over the Brewers on Saturday night.

Zimmermann (8-6) struck out six and gave up five hits in six innings. The right-hander, who was born in Auburndale and played at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, has not allowed more than one earned run in each of his last seven starts.

Drew Storen and Sean Burnett each threw an inning of relief and Tyler Clippard pitched the ninth for his 19th save.

Washington center fielder Bryce Harper was a late scratch because of a stomach virus and was replaced by Corey Brown.

Brown led off the fourth by homering to left field, his first career hit giving the Nationals a 1-0 lead. It was the start of a six-hit inning off Milwaukee starter Randy Wolf (3-7).

With one out, Michael Morse singled and took second on a balk, but was easily thrown out at home by right fielder Norichika Aoki on Adam LaRoche’s single. The next batter, Tyler Moore, hit his sixth homer to left for a 3-0 lead.

Milwaukee’s run came in the fifth on Rickie Weeks’ 11th homer of the season.

Wolf gave up four earned runs on nine hits in seven innings, as the Brewers lost for the eighth time in nine games.

NOTES: Brown was 0 for 10 entering the game. He was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday and played in his 11th game for the Nationals in the last two years. ... Milwaukee backup catcher George Kottaras, who was designated for assignment on Thursday, could be traded to Oakland as soon as Sunday. Despite a rumor a deal was finalized Saturday afternoon, Brewers’ general manager Doug Melvin said “nothing is finalized” before the game. ... Washington manager Davey Johnson said infielder Chad Tracy might return Tuesday. He’s been on the disabled list with a right groin tear since late May.