Bullpen falters as Nats lose 8-2

Tanner Roark held the Reds scoreless through the first three innings, but third baseman Todd Frazier ended the streak in the fourth. Leading off the inning, Frazier belted a fastball deep down the left field line for a solo homer. It's the only hit that Roark has allowed through four innings to go along with two walks and one very important hit batter.

When Reds first baseman Joey Votto stepped to the plate in the first, Roark promptly plunked him. The 92 mph fastball aimed at Votto's backside carried a message. Bryce Harper missed yesterday's game after Reds left-hander Tony Cingrani drilled him in the back with a heater on Friday night. As Harper slowly made his way to first base, Votto approached and the two exchanged heated words.

On Saturday, Reds starter Raisel Iglesias hit Nats southpaw Gio Gonzalez in back-to-back at-bats. The second time, Iglesias' fastball caught Gonzalez on the back of his left arm.

Roark has the Nationals' lone hit against Reds right-hander Michael Lorenzen. With Michael A. Taylor on first base with two outs in the second, Roark lined a double to the gap in right-center. Taylor took off running, rounding the bases and heading for the plate, but second baseman Brandon Phillips' relay throw beat Taylor and catcher Tucker Barnhart applied the tag to end the inning.

Update: Phillips blasted a solo home run off Roark with two outs in the fifth.

Update II: Despite only allowing one hit through the first six innings, Lorenzen walked the bases loaded in the seventh. Reds manager Bryan Price opted for right-hander J.J. Hoover out of the bullpen. Taylor greeted Hoover with a sharp single to left scoring Harper and Ryan Zimmerman to even the game.

With one out and runners at the corners, the Nats appeared to be in position to do more damage, but pinch-hitter Clint Robinson's line drive was snagged by Votto, who doubled up Taylor at first base to end the threat.

Roark's afternoon ended after six solid innings. He allowed two runs on four hits, including two solo homers, with two walks and one strikeout.

Right-hander Aaron Barrett started the seventh for the Nats.

Update III: The Nats bullpen fell apart in the seventh. The Reds pounded Barrett, lefty Matt Grace and right-hander Taylor Hill for six runs on six hits. Grace took the brunt of the assault, as he was charged with four of the runs on three hits and two walks without recording an out.

Update IV: The Reds beat the Nationals 8-2 to complete the three-game sweep.