Nick Lodolo pitched his first complete game with eight strikeouts, Nick Fraley and Santiago Espinal each had two hits and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Washington Nationals 5-0.

After losing a series to the Washington Nationals earlier in the week, the Reds are 53-50 and sit 2 1/2 games out of the third and final National League Wild Card spot. The Reds desperately could use a right-handed power bat as well as bullpen help.

One team that could use an influx of young and consistent starting pitching is the Boston Red Sox. While ace Garrett Crochet continues to be worth every penny and Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello have emerged as key arms in the last month,

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (8-6) lowered his ERA to 3.08 with his first career shutout, second by Reds (also Andrew Abbott).

BOTTOM LINE: The Washington Nationals begin a three-game series at home against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday. Washington has a 19-30 record in home games and a 39-60 record overall. The Nationals have gone 31-20 in games when they record eight or more hits.

Right-hander pitches around a decrease in velocity but the bats provide no support in a 5-0 loss to the Reds, who stave off a series sweep.

The Cincinnati Reds reached a season high-water mark of five games over .500 with 2 wins in New York out of the break. They haven't won since.

CINCINNATI -- Reds right-handed starting pitcher Brady Singer gave up seven earned runs in just 2 1/3 innings and the Reds fell to the Washington Nationals 10-8 on Monday night. The Reds trailed 7-0 after three innings, before rallying to make it 8-6 through the top of the fifth.