MLB: Milwaukee 7, Washington 5

MILWAUKEE, July 30 (UPI) -- Casey McGehee put Milwaukee in front with a two-run homer in the sixth Wednesday and the Brewers ended a three-game skid by downing Washington 8-3.

The Nationals failed in their bid to win a season-best five games in a row.

Milwaukee climbed back to within a game of .500 and, despite being in fourth place in the National League Central, stayed within 4 1/2 games of first.

Washington starter Garrett Mock was still on the mound in the sixth, trying to protect a 5-3 lead. Mock, however, gave up a lead-off double to Corey Hart and a single to Mike Cameron that moved Hart to third.

Tyler Clippard (1-1) came on to relieve Mock and got J.J. Hardy to ground into a double play that brought home Hart from third.

With a chance to get out of the inning, Clippard walked Mike Rivera on a 3-2 pitch and then gave up McGehee's homer to left.

Manny Parra (5-8) survived six innings to get the win. He allowed five runs on nine hits while striking out seven.

Washington had been trying for its first five-game winning streak since last August.