Reds 8, Nationals 2
CINCINNATI -- Todd Frazier and Brandon Phillips homered, helping the Cincinnati Reds complete the three-game sweep of the first-place Washington Nationals with an 8-2 victory on Sunday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.
The Nationals (28-22) were the hottest team in baseball coming into this series, having won 21 of 27. Instead, they were swept for the first time since April 24-26 at Miami.
Frazier went 3-for-4 with a homer, double and three RBIs for the Reds (22-27), who swept Washington for the first time since 2011.
There was some good news for the Nationals on Sunday when right fielder Bryce Harper returned to the lineup after being scratched from Saturday's start with a sore back. He went 0-for-2 on Sunday with two walks.
J.J. Hoover (4-0) earned the victory. Aaron Barrett (3-1) took the loss.
Defense shined for Cincinnati in the second inning.
First, shortstop Zack Cozart made a diving stab of catcher Wilson Ramos' liner.
Then, Nats left fielder Michael Taylor was thrown out at home attempting to score from first on starting pitcher Tanner Roark's double to center.
Roark didn't allow a hit on Sunday until Frazier's solo shot on a 2-2 pitching leading off the fourth.
It was the Reds' third baseman's 16th home run this season, fourth in six games.
Phillips homered for the third time this season in the fifth, making the score 2-0. His first homer since May 17 snapped an 0-for-18 skid.
Roark allowed two earned runs and four hits in six innings.
Roark's double was the only hit allowed by Reds starter Michael Lorenzen, who retired 12 straight before running into difficulty in the seventh.
Lorenzen, the third rookie to start for Cincinnati in the series, allowed two earned runs and issued six walks, three of which came in the seventh to load the bases with one out.
Hoover came on and allowed Taylor's two-run single. He went 1-for-2 with a walk and two RBIs.
But pinch hitter Clint Robinson lined to first baseman Joey Votto who stepped on first for an inning-ending double play, keeping the score tied 2-2.
Just as they did throughout this series, Cincinnati roared right back.
Center fielder Billy Hamilton reached on a fielder's choice, stole his 21st base and then scored on Phillips' single, putting the Reds ahead 3-2.
Phillips went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs.
Back-to-back RBI doubles by Frazier and right fielder Jay Bruce made the score 6-2.
NOTES: Nationals RF Bryce Harper returned to the lineup Sunday after being scratched from Saturday's start with a sore back. ... Reds RHP Johnny Cueto, who has missed two starts due to right elbow inflammation, threw a bullpen on Sunday, and manager Bryan Price expects him to start Tuesday in Philadelphia. ... Prior to dropping this weekend's series in Cincinnati, the Nationals had won nine straight series, which according to the Elias Sports Bureau is the longest such streak in Nats franchise history (since 2005). ... Reds 1B Joey Votto made his 1,000th career appearance Sunday.