MLB: Washington 5, Cincinnati 2

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Jesus Flores and Elijah Dukes both drove in two runs to stake Washington to an early lead Friday and the Nationals held on to defeat Cincinnati 5-2.

Washington ended a nine-game losing streak and handed the Reds a loss in their first game in eight years without Ken Griffey Jr. on the roster. Griffey was traded Thursday to the Chicago White Sox.

Flores singled home two runs in the first and Dukes had a two-run double in the second, at the end of which the Nationals had a 5-0 lead.

Odalis Perez (4-8) took over from there, limiting the Reds to a run on three hits over 7 1/3 innings.

Homer Bailey (0-5) was left still searching for his first victory. He was touched for five runs on seven hits in two innings.

Bailey, the seventh player chosen in the 2004 draft, surrendered 15 hits to Colorado in 4 2/3 innings during his previous start last week.