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Division-leading Brewers, Nats open set

Jun 23, 2014 - 2:42 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Division leaders clash in Milwaukee for the start of a three-game series Monday between the Brewers and Washington Nationals.

The NL East-leading Nationals are coming off a four-game split at home against the Atlanta Braves. On Sunday, Tanner Roark tossed an effective 5 1/3 innings to help Washington to a 4-1 victory.

Roark (7-4), who has allowed three runs or fewer in nine straight starts, yielded just one run on four hits and three walks to win a career-high fourth straight start.

Denard Span, Adam LaRoche and Ryan Zimmerman each drove in a run for the Nationals, who have won four of their last six and increased their lead to 1 1/2 games over the Braves.

"You have to play a clean game to beat a team of this caliber," said Span. "For us to close this series out with two wins is huge for us."

Gio Gonzalez, who hasn't won in more than two months, gets the start tonight for the Nationals. The lefty is 0-3 over his last six starts and hasn't won since April 18 against St. Louis. He returned after missing close to a month with left shoulder inflammation and did not factor into the decision of last Wednesday's 6-5 win against Houston. Gonzalez was reached for four runs on five hits and three walks with six strikeouts over five innings.

In two career starts against the Brewers, Gonzalez is 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA.

The Brewers, who pace the NL Central by 5 1/2 games over the Cardinals, have won four in a row and six of their last seven contests. On Sunday, Aramis Ramirez stroked a two-run homer as the Brewers held on for a 6-5 win to complete a three-game sweep.

Lyle Overbay had a solo homer and Jonathan Lucroy drove in a run for the Brewers, who completed a sweep at Coors Field for the first time since June 29-July 1, 2004 and went 6-1 on their road trip.

"It was a great road trip, certainly with the wins," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said.

Kyle Lohse (9-3), who improved his road record to 6-1, allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings.

Matt Garza takes the mound tonight for the Brewers. He is 2-0 over his last six starts and hasn't lost since May 17 at Wrigley Field versus the Cubs. He is 0-1 with a 6.41 ERA in four career starts against the Nationals, but has not faced Washington since 2012.

Milwaukee center fielder Carlos Gomez has reached base safely in 35 consecutive games, the longest current streak in the majors. He also has an 18-game hitting streak.

Washington won four of the seven meetings with Milwaukee last season. The Nationals have won four of their last five games at Miller Park.