Reds drop Nationals for second day in a row

A two-run Zack Cozart double keyed a four-run Reds eighth, and Cincinnati topped the Washington Nationals for the second straight day, 8-5.

The Nats played without Bryce Harper, who was given a game off for the first time in 2015, hours after the team announced that Stephen Strasburg was being placed on the 15-day disabled list with neck stiffness.

The first-place Nationals had already learned this week that outfielder Jayson Werth will be out until August with broken bones sustained when he was hit by a pitch on May 15.

Washington led 5-2 entering the sixth inning Saturday when the Reds knocked out starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez with a pair of runs, on an RBI groundout Jay Bruce and an RBI single by Brayan Pena.

Gonzalez got a no-decision, giving up four runs on seven hits in five and a third innings, striking out six and walking two.

Casey Jannsen (0-1) took the loss for Washington after giving up the two-run rally in the eighth.

J.J. Hoover (3-0) got the win in relief for Cincinnati, and Aroldis Chapman notched his ninth save in a shaky ninth, striking out two and walking two.