Harper delivers in cleanup spot, Roark strong (Nats win 7-4)

Manager Dusty Baker switched up the lineup after his club lost the first two games against the Brewers, managing two total runs.

The biggest move was switching Daniel Murphy and Bryce Harper in the batting order. Placing Harper in the cleanup spot for the first time this season, Baker's move paid dividends in the first at-bat for the Nationals.

Facing right-hander Matt Garza with two men on, Harper delivered his 18th homer of the season, a three-run shot over the opposite field wall to give the Nationals a 3-0 lead over the Brewers. The blast marked Harper's 21st home run in the first inning in his career. Ben Revere and Jayson Werth had led off with singles to set up Harper's heroics.

Meanwhile, Tanner Roark retired the Brewers 1-2-3 in the first.

After one inning, the Nationals lead the Brewers 3-0.

Update: Jose Lobaton crushed his second homer of the season to lead off the second against Garza. He was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts against Garza in his career. The Nationals lead the Brewers 4-0 after two innings.

Update II: The Brewers made it look like they knew which pitches Roark was choosing in the third. Three base hits loaded the bases with one out. Scooter Gennett delivered a two-run single to make it 4-2 Nationals. Jonathan Lucroy added a RBI single and it is 4-3 Nationals. Gennett then stole home in front of a double steal and the Brewers tie the game 4-4.

Update III: With two outs in third, Ryan Zimmerman walked. Stephen Drew smacked a ground rule double to left-center that bounced into the Brewers bullpen, scoring Zimmerman. The Nationals lead 5-4.

Update IV: Big-time moment for Zimmerman as he slams a two-run shot over the center field wall to give the Nationals a 7-4 lead in the fifth. It was his 12th homer of the season. He was just 3-for-26 (.115) in his last seven games coming into today's game.

Update V: Roark battles through one bad inning to go seven, allowing four runs on seven hits with one walk and six strikeouts. He tossed 99 pitches, 66 for strikes.

Update VI: Jonathan Papelbon came on to dispatch Milwaukee in the ninth for his 17th save. He struck out three batters and worked around a Murphy fielding error.

The Nationals get a much-needed 7-4 win over the Brewers and stay four games ahead of the Mets in the National League East.

A four-game set in New York commences tomorrow night.