Nationals 9, Giants 3: Ian Desmond belted a two-run homer and Jordan Zimmermann tossed six solid innings as host Washington roughed up Tim Lincecum to emerge victorious in a battle of division leaders.

Rookie Bryce Harper, Adam LaRoche, Danny Espinosa and Zimmermann ripped RBI doubles for the NL East-leading Nationals, who have won five of their last seven games.

After ending a career-worst 10-start winless streak in his last outing, Lincecum (3-9) was brutalized right from the start. The two-time National League Cy Young Award winner yielded a season-high eight runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings.

Desmond provided the big blow against Lincecum in the third inning after depositing a slider over the wall in left field. The blast was Desmond's career-high 14th homer of the season - the most by a Nationals/Montreal Expos shortstop prior to the All-Star break. Orlando Cabrera had 13 during the 2003 season.

Staked to an offensive explosion, Zimmermann (5-6) breezed to his first home victory of the season. He allowed two runs and struck out seven in six innings before exiting after a rain delay.

Gregor Blanco had a two-run single in the fifth inning for the NL West-leading Giants, who fell for just the fourth time in 11 outings.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Zimmermann has tossed at least six innings in all 16 of his starts this season. ... The Nationals reinstated Henry Rodriguez and placed fellow right-hander Chien-Ming Wang on the 15-day disabled list. ... Lincecum's ERA climbed to 6.08.