Reds 2, Nationals 1: Brandon Phillips recorded two hits and an RBI while Alfredo Simon pitched seven strong innings as visiting Cincinnati defeated Washington to take two of three in the series.

Zack Cozart registered three hits and scored a run for the Reds, who won their first series at Washington since June 4-6, 2010. Simon (6-2) allowed one run, five hits, one walk and struck out six while hammering a double off the wall before Aroldis Chapman struck out two in a perfect ninth for his third save.

Denard Span had a pair of hits, including his first homer of the season that gave the Nationals their only tally. Washington starter Tanner Roark (3-2) yielded two runs (one earned) on six hits over six innings, losing for the first time at home in six career decisions.

Span, who went 5-for-5 in Tuesday’s 9-4 victory, drilled the second pitch he saw over the right-field fence to lead off the first inning and open the scoring. Cozart started the fourth with a double and scored on Phillips’ RBI single up the middle before Brayan Pena plated him with a base hit for a 2-1 lead.

Simon, who has won five of his last six decisions, got the Nationals in order in the sixth and allowed only a two-out single in the seventh before giving way to the bullpen. Span singled to open the eighth and made it to third with two outs before Jonathan Broxton struck out Wilson Ramos to end the threat.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Reds placed 2010 National League MVP 1B Joey Votto (knee) on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to May 16) and activated OF Jay Bruce, but he did not play. … The game was delayed 61 minutes by rain in the sixth inning. … The Nationals start a four-game series at Pittsburgh on Thursday and Cincinnati opens a three-game set against visiting St. Louis on Friday.