Brewers 4, Nationals 2: Scooter Gennett and Khris Davis each homered and Kyle Lohse tossed seven strong innings as visiting Milwaukee captured the opener of a three-game series.

Lohse (10-4) allowed one run on 10 hits and Francisco Rodriguez gave up Bryce Harper’s leadoff homer in the ninth before recording his 28th save for the Brewers, who lost 11 of their final 13 games before the All-Star break. Aramis Ramirez added two RBIs to help Milwaukee improve to 29-19 on the road.

Gennett began the scoring with a one-out homer in the first off Stephen Strasburg (7-7), who yielded four runs while striking out nine over seven frames. Strasburg, who owns a 5.30 ERA in three career starts against Milwaukee, fell behind 2-0 after Davis’ solo blast with one out in the second.

The Brewers extended their lead in the third as Gennett drew a two-out walk, Ryan Braun doubled and both scored when Ramirez’s bloop single dropped in front of right fielder Jayson Werth. Washington got on the board in the fourth on Ian Desmond’s RBI double, but the Nationals were unable to capitalize on multiple opportunities and finished 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Denard Span and Harper had three hits apiece while Ryan Zimmerman added two hits for the Nationals, who fell one game behind Atlanta in the National League East. Harper lined his third homer of the season into the right-field bullpen on the second pitch of the ninth before Rodriguez retired the next three batters in order.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Brewers activated SS Jean Segura from the bereavement list and placed INF Jeff Bianchi on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow strain. … The Brewers stopped play twice to have the gloves of two Washington relievers – Drew Storen and Craig Stammen – checked and adjusted due to the length of the laces on their gloves. … Lohse is the second Milwaukee pitcher in the last 21 years to allow one or fewer runs while allowing 10 or more hits.