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Flores records 100th RBI, Nats take down Reds

Aug 19, 2011 - 6:15 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Jesus Flores' first home run of the season supported a gem by Jordan Zimmermann, as the Washington Nationals downed the Cincinnati Reds, 3-1, in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Flores notched his 100th career RBI with a solo shot in the fifth, while Jonny Gomes added a two-run single against his former team.

Zimmermann (8-10) worked 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball, allowing just six hits and two walks.

"I thought he held his poise and threw the ball good," Nats manager Davey Johnson said. "I was very pleased with the six innings he gave us."

Drew Storen worked around a pair of ninth-inning singles to record his 33rd save of the season.

Bronson Arroyo (7-10) allowed three runs on seven hits over six innings. He walked two and struck out three and has not recorded a win since June 25.

"Bronson threw the ball well tonight. He made two mistakes, one to Flores, he hit a fastball out over the plate," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "The other one was a fastball he got to Jonny Gomes over the plate."

Brandon Phillips knocked in the lone run for the Reds, who stranded 10 and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Ryan Hanigan began the ninth with a single. After a Yonder Alonso strikeout, Ramon Hernandez belted a shot to left, but Brian Bixler made a diving catch on the warning track. Phillips pushed Hanigan to second with a single, but Storen popped out Dave Sappelt to end the game.

The ninth acted as a microcosm for the Reds, who struggled to score runs from the start.

Phillips drew a walk to begin the game and moved to second with two down, but Jay Bruce grounded out to end the inning.

Hanigan belted a two-out double an inning later, but Paul Janish flew out.

In the third, singles by Phillips and Joey Votto placed runners at first and second with two outs, but Bruce again grounded out.

Miguel Cairo was hit by a pitch to begin the fourth and moved to third on a one-out single from Hanigan, but shortstop Ian Desmond picked up a Janish grounder -- which was deflected by Zimmermann -- tagged second and threw to first for the inning-ending double play.

In the fifth, with Phillips on first, Votto skied an 0-1 fastball down the left field line, but Gomes made a lunging catch at the wall to again stifle Cincinnati.

Flores quickly put the Nats on the board in the bottom half, ripping a 1-2 sinker over the wall in left.

A Drew Stubbs walk and a Hanigan single placed runners on the corners with two down in the sixth. Ryan Mattheus spelled Zimmermann and struck out Janish to escape.

In the home half, Michael Morse walked before singles by Jayson Werth and Danny Espinosa loaded the bases. Gomes followed with a base hit to left, giving the Nationals a 3-0 lead.

The Reds finally broke through in the seventh. Fred Lewis reached on an error by Desmond and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Henry Rodriguez. After advancing to third on a passed ball by Flores, Lewis scored on Phillips' groundout.

Game Notes

The game was delayed 32 minutes due to rain...Gomes was traded from the Reds to the Nationals along with cash considerations on July 26 in exchange for first baseman Bill Rhinehart and pitcher Chris Manno...Arroyo made the start despite injuring his left Achilles in his last outing...Mattheus was removed after the sixth with right shoulder tightness.