(SportsNetwork.com) - It's been over two weeks since the Cincinnati Reds have won consecutive games. They'll get an opportunity Saturday afternoon to take the series from the Washington Nationals when the clubs battle at Great American Ball Park.
The Reds turn to rookie Raisel Iglesias in the second contest of this three- game set, as he makes his sixth appearance and fourth start. The 25-year-old right-hander from Cuba is currently taking the place of an injured Johnny Cueto. On Sunday at Cleveland, Iglesias gave up four hits and two runs before being pulled after the third inning of a 5-2 loss.
Washington lefty Gio Gonzalez has been on a hot streak with a 3-0 mark over his last four starts. Gonzalez, who hasn't lost since April 26 at Miami, gave up one run over 7 1/3 innings in a victory against the Phillies on Sunday. Gonzalez is 2-1 with a 1.06 ERA in five career starts against the Reds.
On Friday, Joey Votto and Todd Frazier homered for Cincinnati, while Washington lost Stephen Strasburg after just 16 pitches in the Reds' 5-2 win.
After allowing Votto's home run in the first inning, Strasburg walked Brayan Pena to lead off the second and then exited the field with the team's trainer. Taylor Jordan (0-1) was charged with three runs in 4 2/3 innings of long relief.
"It's left side and it's in his neck," Nationals manager Matt Williams said of Strasburg's injury.
Anthony DeSclafani (3-4) limited the Nats to two runs on eight hits in six innings for the Reds. Zack Cozart collected three hits at the top of Cincinnati's lineup as the Reds won for the second time in three contests since a nine-game skid. They Reds last won two straight on May 12-14, a three- game string.
"He just attacked and stayed aggressive," Reds manager Bryan Price said of his starting pitcher.
Aroldis Chapman fanned two in the ninth inning. He's converted 28 consecutive save chances dating back to June 28, 2014, the longest active streak in the majors.
Nationals slugger Bryce Harper took exception to being hit by a pitch in the back from Tony Cingrani in the seventh inning. Harper took his time walking to first base and stared at the Cincinnati reliever.
"I threw it as hard and I could and it ran up and in," Cingrani said. "I hit him, what are you going to do? He should have jogged. Be a baseball player. Sorry I hit you. Run."
Washington's Ian Desmond heads into Saturday with a 13-game hitting streak, two shy of his career-best.
Votto will play career game No. 999 Saturday.
The Reds haven't won a season series against the Nationals since 2011.
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