WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Washington scored all its runs with three hits and an error in the first inning Sunday en route to a 4-2 win against Cincinnati.
The victory completed a three-game sweep at Nationals Park and was payback for a similar sweep by Cincinnati at the Great American Ballpark in July.
In the fateful offensive outburst, Lastings Milledge hit a solo homer, Pete Orr and Wil Nieves hit RBI singles and a run scored on an error by left-fielder Adam Dunn.
Austin Kearns had three hits and Emilio Bonifacio two in the Nationals' third straight win following a nine-game losing streak.
Winner Collin Balester (2-3) yielded an earned run and six hits in 5 1/3 innings with two walks and five strikeouts.
Joel Hanrahan earned his first save.
Cincinnati scored on solo homers by Joey Votto and Corey Patterson.
Votto had three hits and Patterson two in the Reds' eighth loss in their last nine games.
The losing pitcher was Johnny Cueto (7-11).
