WASHINGTON -- Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke thought starter Matt Garza threw some good pitches Saturday night. They certainly were good for Washington to hit. Garza was knocked out in the first inning of his shortest major league start, and Ryan Zimmerman and Wilson Ramos drove in three runs apiece to lead the Nationals over the Brewers 8-3. "Call it what you want, man, just wasnt a good day," Garza said. Garza (6-7) faced eight batters and got just one out, allowing four singles, a double and two walks in the shortest of his 211 regular-season big league starts dating to 2006. His previous low was 1 1-3 innings at the Marlins on June 18, 2010, according to STATS. "He didnt throw the ball that bad," Roenicke said. "Its a shame you make good pitches and they did a good job fouling them off, and they did a good job reaching out and putting balls in play." Garza had been 4-2 with a 2.35 ERA in his previous eight outings, but Saturdays effort caused his season ERA to rise from 3.69 to 4.04. He dropped to 0-3 with a 7.33 ERA in six career starts against the Nationals. He was lifted after 42 pitches. "He had one out. So we were going get up to 50 pitches and none of us are comfortable with him going 50," Roenicke said. Tanner Roark (9-6) gave up one runs and six hits in seven innings with five strikeouts. In his first full season as a starter, he has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 13 of 19 outings. "Its a lot weight off my shoulders whenever we get five runs in the first," he said Roark took over the team lead in wins, one ahead of Doug Fister. Against a Milwaukee team that Washington manager Matt Williams said hits both fastballs and curveballs well, Roark relied more on his slider than his curve. "I actually changed my grip on it, so that helped out a lot," Roark said, adding he learned the grip from Jordan Zimmermann. "Ive been able to throw it a lot harder." Ryan Braun hit a two-run homer in the eighth for the Brewers, tied with St. Louis atop the NL Central. Denard Span led off the first with a single and, after Anthony Rendon struck out, Werth blooped a double to right. Adam LaRoches walked loaded the bases, and Zimmerman bounced a single up the middle for a 2-0 lead. "I felt fine. Nothing felt off, " Garza said. "Just ... started off the game with a gem-shot single. ... Another bad break, and then Zimm hit a four-hopper up the middle." Bryce Harpers eight-pitch walk reloaded the bases, Ian Desmonds dribbler for an infield single drove in a run and Ramos chased Garza with a two-run single. Ramos is 24 for 61 (.393) with nine RBIs in his last 17 games. "You want to be aggressive and youve got an opportunity for a crooked number there," Williams said. "I think the big at bat there was Wilsons. He got behind, got to two strikes, and got a slider out. Thats a big cushion there." Milwaukee got a run in the second when Jonathan Lucroy doubled, stole third and scored when Ramoss throw skipped into left field for third first of two errors by the catcher. Run-scoring singles by Ramos in the third and Zimmerman in the fourth made it 7-1 against Marco Estrada, who pitched 5 2-3 innings of relief. Zimmerman is 26 for 75 (.347) with 17 RBIs since June 24. LaRoche added a sacrifice fly in the sixth. NOTES: Williams said RHP Jordan Zimmermann, who left his last start in the fourth inning due to a right biceps cramp, threw a good bullpen session Saturday and is to start Tuesday at Colorado. ... Milwaukee RHP Yovani Gallardo (5-5, 3.68) opposes LHP Gio Gonzalez (6-5, 3.56) in Sundays series finale. ... Singer Austin Mahone, on hand to perform a postgame concert, threw the ceremonial first pitch. Washington Nationals Pro Shop . "I only want to go through this one more time," Crosby said Friday. The 24-year-old captain hasnt played since the symptoms resurfaced following a loss to Boston on Dec. 5. Doctors allowed him to return to full practice on Tuesday and while Crosby is pleased with the way his body is responding he refuses to put on his return. Wander Suero Jersey . James Jones got his turn Sunday. And the lift he brought, combined with the expected playoff showings from LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, have the Heat off and running in these playoffs. https://www.cheapnationals.com/857r-kyle-mcgowin-jersey-nationals.html . -- During a players meeting following the All-Star break, Jermaine ONeal promised his teammates to play the rest of the regular season like he would never play again -- because he very well might not. Raudy Read Jersey .J. -- The New York Jets have promoted Tony Sparano Jr. Jeremy Hellickson Jersey .twitter.com/TeZD3KOvlA — Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) September 24, 2014 Sorry for the delay, we just got back from lunch at Papa Vons #NBAFastFood pic.LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Chicago Bears defensive co-ordinator Mel Tucker insisted he is only focused on one thing.That would be the next game, not his future.That may be hard to believe, but its not hard as a coach or as a player to get ready for this matchup, Tucker said.Chicago hosts New Orleans on Monday in a game between disappointing teams that are 5-8.While the Saints are tied with Atlanta for the NFC South lead, the Bears will miss the playoffs for the seventh time in eight years.Their defence has ranked among the leagues worst in two seasons under Tucker, who shrugged off questions about his job security and reiterated several times his focus is on preparing for the Saints.Tucker said he hasnt discussed his future with his bosses. If he is gone, few would be surprised.A franchise built on the strength of its defence, with names such as Butkus and Singletary, has been coming up short in a big way.Whether its the coaching or talent, injuries or execution, the Bears have taken a big step back in that area after consistently ranking among the leagues best under former coach Lovie Smith.Theyre allowing a league-high average of 29.1 points, which is about as bad as last season when they allowed 29.9 per game and tied for second worst in the NFL.Chicago is also tied for 28th in yards allowed (377.8 yards per game) and ranks 30th against the pass despite a major off-season overhaul.Injuries cant be overlooked.They were hit hard in that area a year ago, and its been more of the same this time around.Theyve lost four starters to season-ending injuries, with middle linebacker D.J. Williams (neck), joining defensive end Lamarr Houston, cornerback Charles Tillman and linebacker Lance Briggs on injured reserve on Thursday.First of all, were not in the business of making excuses for injuries; we cant, coach Marc Trestman said.Linebacker Jonathan Bostic pinned the Bears struggles on the players — not the coaches. He insisted the issue is execution and thats on the guys wearing helmets and pads.Its not on the coaches, Bostic said. We go back and watch the film andd everybody will see it.dddddddddddd Everything coaches are coaching us (to do), it needs to show up in the game. It cant show up in two out of three plays because that one play where it didnt show up — where one player jumped out of the gap or didnt do exactly what were being coached to do — is when we give up a big play.Asked if he has been given enough talent to succeed, Tucker said: You have to deal in the moment and in the immediate situation, which is New Orleans. We feel good about the guys we have going into the game and our preparation, and thats really all that matters. We feel good about this group, whether theyre rookies or not, just collectively to go in there and get the job done in the game. Thats what were talking about.The Bears have allowed more passing plays of 20 or more yards — 51 — than all but one team, the Philadelphia Eagles.There was similar speculation about his future a year ago, and on Thursday, Tucker dismissed it as something that comes with the territory. He has coached 10 seasons in the NFL and eight in college, so its nothing new to him.Tucker was also asked about the opening at Wisconsin, where he played as a defensive back.He talked to athletic director Barry Alvarez, his former coach, about the job in 2012, but remained in Jacksonville as the Jaguars defensive co-ordinator. That position is open again after Gary Andersen left for Oregon State.Would Tucker be interested this time if his old coach contacted him?Thats a hypothetical, Tucker said. I try to stay out of those. Ultimately, the sole focus is New Orleans and preparing for those guys. Thats the only thing Im thinking about right now.NOTES: K Robbie Gould hopes to be ready after missing a game because of a pulled right quadriceps. He sat out practice along with S Chris Conte (back), OL Michael Ola (back) and LB Darryl Sharpton (hamstring). DT Jeremiah Ratliff (knee) was limited. ... Tucker said there is a good chance Bostic will move to middle linebacker with Williams out.___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '