Abimelec Ortiz hit his second career home run, a three-run opposite-field fly ball, to put the Washington Nationals up 3-1 in the third inning of their 7-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.
The Nationals swept the series, outscoring the Reds 20-6 over three games. Ortiz's home run was the big hit in a game where the Nationals' bullpen excelled, with Will Dion earning his first win of the year after retiring the first nine batters he faced.
Dion, acquired from the Guardians at the trade deadline, pitched three innings and allowed one hit. Trevor Williams tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings and maintained his 0.00 ERA since returning from elbow surgery on July 29.
The Reds' only run came in the second inning, when Dane Myers hit a sacrifice fly that gave Cincinnati a 1-0 lead. But that was all they managed, as the Nationals took the lead for good with Jacob Young's sacrifice fly.
Young and Andrés Chaparro each drove in two runs for the Nationals, who have won four of their last five games. Chaparro capped the scoring with a two-run double in the sixth inning.
The Reds' starter, Brady Singer, gave up three runs on eight hits in six innings. Singer (5-11) took the loss, while Dion (1-0) earned his first win of the year.
The Nationals will next face the Cubs, with a series opener scheduled for Tuesday. The Reds, meanwhile, will head to Chicago to face the White Sox on Tuesday, with LHP Nick Lodolo (3-2, 4.60 ERA) starting for the Reds.
Source: Yahoo Sports