Frazier's homer lifts Reds over Nats 4-3 in 15
WASHINGTON - Todd Frazier's two-run homer in the 15th inning lifted the Cincinnati Reds over the Washington Nationals 4-3 on Monday night.
Brandon Phillips singled off Ross Detwiler (0-2) to open the inning and with one out, Frazier homered to center. The home run also ended a 27 2-3 innings scoreless streak by the Nationals' bullpen.
Logan Ondrusek (1-2) worked two innings for the win, allowing an RBI single to Greg Dobbs in the bottom of the 15th before getting Danny Espinosa to fly out to deep right to end the 4-hour, 58-minute game.
The Reds' defense twice extended the game with two-out diving catches that prevented the winning run from scoring.
Phillips robbed Wilson Ramos behind second base with a runner on third to end the 11th. Billy Hamilton's diving grab in right center of Anthony Rendon's liner sent the game to the 15th.
Washington trailed 2-1 when Espinosa doubled to left off Aroldis Chapman to start the ninth. He advanced to third on a fly to deep left-center by Kevin Frandsen. Pinch-hitter Scott Hairston then flied out to deep left and Espinosa scored the tying run.
That rally cost Reds starter Mike Leake his first win since April 15.
Monday night was the first meeting between Leake and Strasburg, youth league teammates in San Diego and 2009 first-round draft choices, with Strasburg going first overall and Leake eighth.
Leake, who left with a 2-1 lead, saw the bullpen blow its third save in games he has left with the lead. He gave up a run and seven hits, and is 0-1 with 1.82 ERA in four starts in May.
Strasburg went seven innings, allowing two runs and six hits. He walked only one, but hit two batters, both of whom scored.
Both teams had their share of chances. The Reds were 2 for 24 with runners in scoring position, and the Nationals were 2 for 18.
The Reds were without first baseman Joey Votto (strained left quadriceps), who is rehabbing in Cincinnati for the fourth straight game.
Trailing 2-0, Washington finally got to Leake in the seventh. Nate McLouth singled with one out and took second on a wild pitch. With two outs, Denard Span singled to right, scoring McLouth and ending Leake's night after 110 pitches.
After going 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position through three innings, the Reds used their legs to take a 1-0 lead in the fourth.
Frazier was hit by a pitch with one out and went to third on Brayan Pena's single. With Chris Heisey at the plate, Ramos blocked a pitch by Strasburg in the dirt and Pena broke for second. Frazier dashed home when Ramos threw to second and second baseman Espinosa's only play was on Pena, who was tagged out in a rundown.
The Reds made it 2-0 in the fifth. Zack Cozart was hit on the arm by a fastball by Strasburg. On a hit-and-run play, Hamilton singled him to third and Cozart scored on a single to center by Skip Schumaker.
NOTES: Reds C Devin Mesoraco, in his 191st major league game, hit cleanup for the first time. ... Nationals manager Matt Williams said rookie RHP Blake Treinen will be called up from Triple-A Syracuse to make LHP Gio Gonzalez's scheduled start Thursday in Pittsburgh. Gonzalez (left shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day DL Sunday. Treinen has made four appearances, including one start, for Washington. ... Williams said 1B Adam LaRoche (right quad strain) took pregame grounders for the first time since going on the DL on May 10.