Jul 17, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Photo Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
CINCINNATI — Bryce Harper hit a three-run home run and Ryan Zimmerman and Brian Goodwin added solo shots, helping the Washington Nationals complete a four-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a 6-1 victory on Monday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.
A five-run first inning provided plenty of run support for Stephen Strasburg, who gave up only one run on four hits through seven innings. Strasburg (10-3) struck out 11 for his sixth 10-plus strikeout game of the season and 35th of his career.
The Nationals (56-36) outscored the Reds 35-12 and hit 11 home runs in the series to extend their winning streak to five.
Eugenio Suarez hit his 13th home run for Cincinnati (39-53), which was swept in a four-game series by the Nationals for the first time at Great American Ball Park.
It took only 12 pitches in the first inning from Reds starter Scott Feldman (7-7) for the Nationals to score four runs.
Goodwin led off with a double, Stephen Drew singled and Harper launched his 23rd home run. On the next pitch from Feldman, Zimmerman hit his 20th homer to put the Nationals ahead 4-0.
Daniel Murphy walked, later tagged and scored from second when right fielder Scooter Gennett made a diving grab on Matt Wieters’ line drive but dropped the ball while taking it out of his glove.
Washington sent nine batters to the plate in the inning scoring five runs on five hits, two homers and a walk.
Asher Wojciechowski took over for Feldman in the second inning and limited the Nationals to only one hit over 4 2/3 innings before Goodwin hit a solo home run with two outs in the sixth. Wojciechowski kept Washington off-balance, recording seven outs on pop flies over his five innings.
Cincinnati’s bullpen allowed only one run on six hits over eight innings, but enough damage was done early by the Nationals.
NOTES: 1B Ryan Zimmerman passed Vladimir Guerrero for first place on the all-time Nationals/Expos franchise home run list with 235. … The Nationals selected the contract of RHP Jacob Turner and transferred RHP Koda Glover to the 60-day disabled list. … RHP Ryan Madson and LHP Sean Doolittle, acquired by the Nationals on Sunday in a trade with the Oakland A’s, are expected to join the team on Tuesday in Anaheim. … Reds C Devin Mesoraco began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville on Monday. He’s been on the DL since July 23 with a left shoulder strain.
