CINCINNATI (AP) - The Reds have to be happy that they've seen the last of the Washington Nationals this season.
The Nationals outscored the Reds' 35-12 in a four-game drubbing that ended with a 6-1 loss Monday afternoon. Bryce Harper connected for his third homer of the series - a three-run shot - and Ryan Zimmerman set the Nationals' career home run record with a solo shot in the first off Scott Feldman.
Feldman (7-7) lasted only one inning, limited by a stiff right knee that has been bothering him. He gave up a double, a single and homers to Harper and Zimmerman in his first 12 pitches.
"It wouldn't loosen up," Feldman said of the knee. "It was one of those days. I put the team in a tough spot. We were down five runs right off the bat."
Feldman left after facing nine batters and giving up five runs on 33 pitches.
Zimmerman's 235th career homer moved him ahead of Vladimir Guerrero for most in Expos and Nationals history. Guerrero quickly tweeted congratulations, saying he doesn't mind being second.
"It's special to be in one place your entire career," said Zimmerman, in his 12th season with the team that made him a first-round draft pick. "You can't do stuff like this if you're not in the same place for a long time. So I feel very lucky to have spent my entire career here, honored to have hit more home runs than any Expo or National. It's cool."
The NL East leaders hit 13 homers in the four games and finished 6-1 against Cincinnati this season.
Washington improved to a season-high 20 games over .500 (56-36) with its ninth victory in 11 games.
Stephen Strasburg (10-3) recovered from his shortest start of the season by fanning 11 in seven innings and allowing four hits, including Eugenio Suarez's homer. Strasburg left his last start - a 13-0 loss to Atlanta - after Nick Markakis' liner deflected off his hip in the third inning.
Harper's homer extended his hitting streak to 12 games. Brian Goodwin's solo shot made it 6-1 in the sixth.
NATIONALS MOVES
Washington called up right-hander Jacob Turner from Triple-A to help their bullpen temporarily. Right-hander Koda Glover - sidelined since April by a hip injury - was moved to the 60-day DL.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Nationals: CF Michael Taylor hasn't yet started baseball-related activities as he recovers from a strained right oblique. He went on the DL on July 7.
Reds: C Devin Mesoraco began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville. He'll play a few games and be re-evaluated. He's been sidelined since July 5 with a strained left shoulder.
UP NEXT
Nationals: They face the Angels for the first time since 2011. Washington is 6-7 in interleague play this season.
Reds: RHP Sal Romano (1-1) will be called up to make his third career start when the Reds face the Diamondbacks. He also started on April 16 against Milwaukee and July 6 at Colorado.
