Eaton homers, Hellickson steady (Nats fall 5-4 in 10)

MILWAUKEE - The Nationals offense woke up with some power hits early on to set the tone at Miller Park.

Ryan Zimmerman laced a run-scoring double to center field in the first. Adam Eaton launched a no-doubt three-run shot in the second.

Eaton's blast was set up thanks to a throwing error by Brewers starter Junior Guerra that allowed Michael A. Taylor to reach second base. Spencer Kieboom also drew a base on balls in front of Eaton.

Both of the Nationals' scoring hits came with two outs.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Hellickson continued his mastery.

After allowing a two-out single to Christian Yelich, Hellickson caught Jesús Aguilar looking at a third strike. In the second, he induced a 5-3 double play to end the Brewers' two-on-one-out threat.

In the third with one out, the Brewers loaded the bases on a Guerra double, a Lorenzo Cain single and a hit-by-pitch to Yelich. Hellickson then got the power-hitting Aguilar to pop up weakly to deep second, which held all the runners. Travis Shaw's hot-shot liner was caught out of the air by Zimmerman, who made the play unassisted at first base.

Through three innings, the Nats lead the Brewers 4-0.

Update: Hellickson did well until the fifth. Guerra doubled again. He went to third on a passed ball by Kieboom. Eric Thames brought Guerra home on a grounder to first.

Cain singled. Yelich homered to right-center field. The two-run shot cut the Nationals lead to one. Hellickson finished the inning.

After five in Milwaukee, the Nats lead the Brewers 4-3.

Update II: Hellickson goes five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with one walk, a hit by pitch and three strikeouts. He threw 79 pitches, 55 for strikes.

Mid-sixth, the Nats lead 4-3.

Update III: In the seventh, pinch-hitter Ryan Braun connected for a first pitch double off of Brandon Kintzler. Cain brought him home with a one-out single down the right field line. Kintzler induced grounders by Yelich and Aguilar to end the inning.

After seven, the Nats and the Brewers are tied 4-4.

Update IV: Kelvin Herrera delivered a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth. Heading to extra innings in Milwaukee, tied 4-4.

Update V: In the tenth, Matt Grace allowed a single to Cain. It was Cain's fourth straight single. Yelich singled to right, Cain went to third. Aguilar was intentionally walked. Shaw struck out. Tyler Saladino hit a sacrifice fly to left to score Cain. Juan Soto's throw home was off line. Cain scored standing up.

Final score: The Brewers 5, the Nats 4 in 10 innings.

The Nats have fallen two games below .500 (49-51). It is the first time the Nats have been two games below .500 since May 1 (14-16).