Cincinnati (41-47) saw its bullpen give up five runs over 10 1-3 innings to drop the final two games of a series with Pittsburgh on Tuesday and Wednesday. It's been a reversal of fortune in this series as the relievers have combined for five scoreless innings.

Jared Burton and Francisco Cordero each pitched an inning in Thursday's 5-3 win before they also each worked an inning on Friday along with one from David Weathers in a 3-0 victory.

Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 604th career home run - a two-run shot - that gave Cincinnati the early lead in the first inning.

"I was trying to get a pitch to pull and try to get Jay (Bruce) to third, one step closer to home," Griffey said. "I just happened to hit a line drive that went out. The most important thing was to get the guy over."

Griffey, a nine-time All Star, has hit 11 homers this year, including four in his last 12 games. He reached 5,001 total bases for his career on Friday, becoming the 18th player to reach that plateau.

Jason Bergmann became the 387th pitcher to give up a home run to Griffey, who needs five to tie Sammy Sosa for fifth place in career homers. Tim Redding (6-3, 4.21 ERA), who will take the mound Saturday for the Nationals, has also given up a home run to Griffey.

The Nationals have lost three straight after winning four of their previous six. They had eight hits on Friday, but left 11 on base and were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. It was the 10th time this season they were shut out.

Washington tries to snap its losing streak Saturday when it sends one of its most reliable pitchers to the mound. Redding leads the team in wins and innings pitched (102 2-3).

The right-hander, looking for his first decision in nine starts, pitched five innings on Monday against Florida, allowing four runs and eight hits in the 6-5, 10-inning loss. It snapped a nine-game winning streak for the Nationals when Redding starts.

Redding is 1-3 with a 6.17 ERA in seven starts against the Reds. This will be his first time facing them since 2004, however.

The Reds will counter with Josh Fogg (1-2, 9.85), who will be taken off the disabled list Saturday to start in place of the injured Aaron Harang, whose start has been pushed back to Tuesday because of stiffness in his forearm.

Fogg has been on the DL since June 1 with back problems. He's made four starts and seven relief appearances this season, but Cincinnati is 2-9 in those games.

Fogg is 1-3 with a 3.17 ERA in eight career starts against the Nationals.