<p>WASHINGTON — Eugenio Suarez homered off Washington ace Max Scherzer in his first career start as a leadoff hitter, Tyler Mahle allowed three hits in 5 1/3 scoreless innings and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Nationals 2-1 on Tuesday night.</p>
<p>Kyle Farmer also homered off Scherzer to go with Suarez’s 10th of the season as the Reds snapped a five-game slide at Washington and five-game skid overall against the Nationals in the clubs’ first meeting since 2019.</p>
<p>Suarez still struck out three times — running his season total to 65 — and is batting .150. Manager David Bell bumped him up in the lineup in hopes of changing those trends.</p>
<p>“It’s really just to help Geno, doing anything to mix it up a little bit,” Bell said before the game. “More than anything (it’s) just giving him a different look.”</p>
<p>Tejay Antone worked 2 2/3 hitless innings or relief to follow Mahle (3-2). </p>
<p>Washington’s Josh Bell belted his sixth homer in the ninth off Amir Garrett, who recovered to complete his third save.</p>
<p>Scherzer (4-3) allowed two runs on five hits over seven innings in his first loss since late April. He struck out nine in his fifth straight outing allowing two runs or fewer.</p>
<p>Both starters walked one, but Mahle won the duel thanks to two swings.</p>
<p>Farmer drove the opening pitch of the third inning into the seats in left.</p>
<p>In the sixth, Suarez took a 1-1 changeup over the scoreboard in right-center.</p>
<p>TRAINERS ROOM</p>
<p>Reds: RF Aristides Aquino (left hand fracture) will need a rehab assignment and is likely to join Triple-A Louisville next month, Bell said. … 1B Joey Votto (left thumb) took swings and ground balls in Cincinnati on Tuesday. … 3B Mike Moustakas (right heel) could progress from running in water to running outdoors this weekend, Bell said.</p>
<p>Nationals: With CF Victor Robles (right ankle sprain) placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday, backdated to Thursday, manager Dave Martinez said it’s not clear whether Robles will return as soon as he’s eligible. … RHP Tanner Rainey has been cleared from the COVID-19 list and threw a bullpen session Tuesday.</p>
<p>MUCH ABOUT DOOLITTLE</p>
<p>Reds reliever Sean Doolittle was honored with a pregame video montage and presented with signed memorabilia in his first game in Washington since departing as a free agent last season.</p>
<p>Doolittle spent three-and-a-half seasons with the Nationals, making his second All-Star appearance in 2018 and helping the club to its only World Series title a year later. He’s 3-0 with a 4.15 ERA in 20 appearances for Cincinnati.</p>
<p>“He was a very important part of this ballclub but also of this city,” Martinez said. “We miss him. We’re glad he’s doing well, but I can’t wait to see him.”</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Jeff Hoffman (3-3, 4.31 ERA) aims for his first career win against Washington on Wednesday, while Joe Ross (2-4, 5.72) tries for his third straight win against Cincinnati.</p>
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