MILWAUKEE — The Washington Nationals keep falling behind late in games.
Making matters worse on Thursday night for manager Matt Williams is that his team lost two more players.
Scooter Gennett drove in the go-ahead run with a two-out single in the bottom of the eighth, capping the Milwaukee Brewers’ rally from a four-run deficit for a 6-5 victory Thursday night.
Gennett’s bouncer trickled just inside the third-base bag and into left field to drive in Shane Peterson from third. A throwing error by second baseman Anthony Rendon that allowed Peterson to reach two batters earlier proved costly for reliever Aaron Barrett (3-2).
Following Gennett’s hit, Barrett ended up leaving during the middle of an at-bat to Hernan Perez. A frustrated Williams didn’t have detailed information on his reliever.
“He was uncomfortable,” Williams said. “We’ll see how he is tomorrow.”
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The Nationals are 3-10 since May 29. They are already without first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who was placed on the disabled list before the game with a left foot injury.
It didn’t look like Milwaukee would pull out a win after a sloppy start Thursday.
Three Washington runs scored on errors, including two in a three-run fourth following an atypical throwing miscue by third baseman Aramis Ramirez on a two-out bouncer by Rendon for a 5-1 lead.
But the Brewers chipped away over the middle innings, and Gerardo Parra tied the game at 5 with a solo homer to deep right-center with one out in the seventh off starter Tanner Roark.
The Nationals got sloppy late in the game.
The eighth started with Ramirez reaching first on a wild pitch despite striking out. The next batter, Peterson, hit what looked like a sure double-play ball to short, but Rendon’s relay throw bounced wide of first to allow Peterson to reach second.
SEE ALSO: Nationals place Ryan Zimmerman on disabled list with plantar fasciitis
“In the late innings, any mistake is magnified,” Williams said. “Late in games, that’s going to hurt you.”
Clint Robinson, playing first for Zimmerman, had a night to remember after hitting a high-arcing solo shot to right off starter Matt Garza in the second inning. It was the first homer in 52 major league games for the 30-year-old.
“It was amazing,” Robinson said about his trot around the bases. “I was on cloud nine.”
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