The Cincinnati Reds used a three-run sixth inning to hand Stephen Strasburg his first loss of the season as Cincinnati took the series finale on Sunday at Great American Ballpark 6-3.
The Reds (4-2) got to Stasburg (1-1) quickly as they loaded the bases for Jay Bruce who doubled home Xavier Paul and Joey Votto. Todd Frazier scored Brandon Phillips on a ground ball to make it 3-0. On the year Frazier has nine runs driven in which is one more than the Pittsburgh Pirates have as a unit.
Washington (4-2) responded in the second inning when Kurt Suzuki smashed a three-run homer off Johnny Cueto (1-0) to tie the game at three. Cueto only allowed three more hits (all doubles) and held the Nationals off the scoreboard in time to pick up his first win of the season.
He was able to do so thanks to a three-run sixth started by Derrick Robinson, who came on to pinch hit for Cueto. Robinson notched his first carer hit with a single and then moved to third on a single by Shin-Soo Choo. Robinson scored the go ahead run on a fielder's choice. Two batters later Phillips chased Strasburg with an RBI single. Ryan Mattheus in relief allowed another run on an infield single by Jay Bruce.
Sean Marshall made his season debut after dealing with shoulder fatigue and didn't show any rust setting the Nats down in order including a strikeout of Bryce Harper to end the inning. Jonathan Broxton also retired the side in order to set up a save opportunity for Aroldis Chapman.
With one out Chapman allowed a double to Suzuki, but struck out Tyler Moore looking and then fanned Denard Span to end the game for his second save.
The Reds now head out on a six game road-trip starting in St. Louis (3-3) for the Cardinals home opener on Monday at 4:15 p.m. Mat Latos (0-0) will square off against Jaime Garcia (1-0).
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