Joey Votto homers to snap an 0-for-21 drought, Fraley scores in Reds’ 3-2 win over the Nationals

**Reds Nationals Baseball** Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Luke Weaver follows through on a pitch to the Washington Nationals in the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

**Reds Nationals Baseball** Cincinnati Reds' Tyler Stephenson singles in the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, July 3, 2023, in Washington. Jake Fraley scored on the play. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

**Reds Nationals Baseball** Cincinnati Reds' Jake Fraley advances to third base on Spencer Steer's single in the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, July 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

**Trevor Williams** Washington Nationals' Trevor Williams plays during a baseball game, Sunday, July 2, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

**Nationals Phillies Baseball** Washington Nationals' Ildemaro Vargas plays during a baseball game, Sunday, July 2, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

**Reds Nationals Baseball** Washington Nationals center fielder Derek Hill prepares to catch a fly ball that was hit by Cincinnati Reds' Will Benson in the ninth inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

**Reds Nationals Baseball** Washington Nationals' Corey Dickerson, right, takes a lead in front of Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto after hitting a single in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

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WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� hit a two-run home run to end an 0-for-21 slump, Ian Gibaut pitched out of a jam in the sixth inning and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 Monday night in the opener of a four-game series.

Votto homered in the fourth off Jake Irvin, depositing the ball just inside the visiting bullpen in left-center field and driving in Elly De La Cruz. It’s his fourth home run in since returning in June.

The 2010 NL MVP missed the previous 10 months recovering from surgery to repair his left biceps and rotator cuff. The 39-year-old entered the game hitting .143.

Luke Weaver (2-2) picked up the win by allowing two earned runs on six hits in five-plus innings. He was spared a 10th consecutive no-decision 鈥� or worse 鈥� when Gibaut got through the sixth, allowing just one hit, striking out Corey Dickerson and inducing a flyout from Derek Hill.

Catcher Tyler Stephenson singled in the second inning to drive in Frederick, Maryland-native Jake Fraley for the Reds’ other run. Fresh off being named an All-Star for the first time, closer Alexis D铆az picked up his 24th save.

Cincinnati is getting hot again. The Reds have won five of six since a three-game losing streak to keep pace with Milwaukee atop the NL Central.

Last-place Washington fell to 13-28 at home, this one in front of 36,290, the biggest crowd at Nationals Park this season.

Jeimer Candelario hit his 12th home run of the season, a solo shot in the fourth inning. Irvin (1-4) struck out three and allowed six hits.

TRAINER’S ROOM

The Nationals put right-handed reliever Thaddeus Ward on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Sunday, with right shoulder inflammation. Manager Dave Martinez said Ward may have been taxed by his 30 1/3 innings of work in 22 appearances.

UP NEXT

RHP Brett Kennedy could start his first major league game since 2018 for the Reds, facing the Nationals and LHP Patrick Corbin (5-9, 4.82).

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