MLB: Washington 8, Milwaukee 4 (1st game)

WASHINGTON, April 17 (UPI) -- Danny Espinoza socked a go-ahead, three-run homer Sunday and the Washington Nationals downed Milwaukee 8-4 in the first game of a doubleheader.

Espinoza's blast to right scored Alex Cora and pitcher Jason Marquis ahead of him and erased a 2-1 Milwaukee lead.

Ivan Rodriguez also connected for a three-run homer and Ian Desmond contributed two hits, an RBI and two runs scored for the Nationals, who won their second straight over the Brewers.

Marquis (1-0) notched his first victory in a Nationals uniform, allowing two runs on nine hits over seven innings while walking one and fanning four.

Casey McGehee went 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI for Milwaukee, which lost for only the second time in six games.

Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo (1-1) was lit up for seven runs on 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings.