The Washington Nationals look to bounce back and even up the series against the Milwaukee Brewers this afternoon with the first pitch at 4:05 p.m. EDT. The Nationals are scheduled to send right-handed pitcher Jake Irvin, who has an 8-5 record and a 4.69 ERA entering today’s game. The Brewers are scheduled to send RHP Brandon Woodruff (2-0, 2.01 ERA). [More later in the Game Notes]

The Washington Nationals suffered a 16-9 defeat to the Brewers, with the outcome essentially decided by the middle of the third inning. Although the Brewers added five runs in the ninth, making the score appear closer, the game was largely out of reach for Washington.

Mitchell Parker struggled against the Brewers’ familiar lineup, giving up eight runs on 12 hits in just over four innings.

Trailing 16-4 entering the bottom of the ninth, the Nationals showed some resilience by putting up five runs before the final out. While it didn’t change the result, it highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing this young team over the last two months of the season. Although the roster can no longer alter the overall record, there's still time to build momentum and make a positive impression for the future.

“There’s plenty of opportunity,” said rookie right fielder Daylen Lile, who had a triple, a double, and two RBIs. “We’ve got two months left. We just need to support each other, keep competing, and give everything we’ve got — 110 percent every day. Then we can feel proud knowing we gave it our all.”

On Deck…

Tomorrow afternoon, the Nationals will wrap up their three-game series against the Brewers with the first pitch scheduled to be at 1:35 p.m. EDT. The Nationals are scheduled to send right-handed pitcher Brad Lord with a 2-5 record and an ERA of 3.27. The Brewers are scheduled to send right-handed pitcher Jacob Misiorowski with a 4-1 record and an ERA of 2.70.

In the hole…

On Monday, the Nationals have a day off…