WASHINGTON -- Denard Span will take the five hits, of course, especially with three of them coming off Johnny Cueto. Marco Hernandez Red Sox Jersey . Hell take greater satisfaction in the way he was able to create havoc the way a leadoff hitter should, using his speed to get the Cincinnati Reds to commit a pair of errors in the Washington Nationals 9-4 win Tuesday night. "I got more gratification just disrupting them and getting them to throw the ball away," Span said. "For me thats how I have to take over a game." And take over, he did. He finished 5 for 5 with two runs, two doubles, two RBIs and a stolen base as he and the Nationals accomplished a first for 2014: They made Cueto (4-3) look mortal. The Reds ace allowed more than two runs, more than five hits and failed to pitch at least seven innings -- all for the first time this season. His final line: 5 1-3 innings, six hits, eight runs (six earned), six strikeouts. He also hit two batters in the same inning -- the seven-run sixth when the Nationals blew the game open. "They played really well. And you know what? Im human. Im human," Cueto said through an interpreter. "I just got to keep my head up and keep working. Thats all I got to do." It was Cuetos shortest start since Sept. 16, 2013, and his most runs allowed since Sept. 22, 2010. His ERA rose from 1.25 to 1.86. He wasnt helped by a Reds defence that committed four errors -- twice as many as in any previous game this season. "He wasnt just the groundball machine, strikeout machine that hes been to this point," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "Its just the law of averages caught up with us today." Doug Fister (1-1), making his home Nationals debut, allowed two runs and six hits over seven innings with good movement on his fastball. He had a streak of 12 retired batters in a row, and he worked out of a jam in the sixth with the help of a diving stop by third baseman Anthony Rendon and a tiptoe stretch by first baseman Tyler Moore that turned Rendons throw into the third out. Above all, Span was the unstoppable agitator, and it paid off in the Reds calamitous third and sixth innings. Fister led off the third by reaching on an error when first baseman Todd Frazier couldnt backhand a grounder. Span then tried to bunt his way on and did even better, laying one down that prompted a wide throw from third baseman Ramon Santiago. Fister scored all the way from first, and Span ended up on third and scored on Rendons sacrifice fly to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead. In the sixth, Span led off with a single, then stole second and went to third when catcher Brayan Penas throw went into centre field. Span scored on Jayson Werths RBI single and eventually came around to bat again in the inning, bringing home two more runs with a double off lefty reliever Sean Marshall. "Thats a good sign. I hit a lefty like that, a breaking-ball lefty," Span said. "Stay back and drive the ball like that. I havent done that in a while." The evenings work raised Spans batting average from.239 to .263. Before the game, manager Matt Williams said he was sticking with Span when asked about a possible change in the leadoff spot. The big night might be the turning point that justifies Williams patience. "Looking back at last year, he started a really good streak in the second half," Williams said, "so certainly it can get him going." NOTES: Spans five hits tied a career high. ... The Reds have committed six errors thus far in two-game series -- they had only 13 all season before arriving in D.C. ... Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto missed his fifth straight game with a strained left quadriceps. Price said he hopes Votto will return when the Reds open a homestand Friday. "We just remain optimistic that Joeys going to be ready to play when we get back." ... Cincinnati RHP Mat Latos (left knee, right elbow) threw the equivalent of two innings in a simulated game and could be slotted for a minor league rehab start Sunday. ... Reds OF Jay Bruce (left knee) is eligible to return from the disabled list Wednesday. ... Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman (right thumb fracture) saw an occupational therapist to get a splint and that will allow him to start throwing the ball. Theres still no timetable for his return. ... Reds RHP Alfredo Simon faces RHP Tanner Roark in Wednesdays series finale. Nathan Eovaldi Red Sox Jersey . Nikolaos Kounenakis has been hired as an assistant coach, the team announced on Monday. Andrew Benintendi Red Sox Jersey . The team made the announcement after Saturdays 6-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. RHP Kenny Giles will be called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill Adams spot on the roster. https://www.cheapredsox.com/2261z-craig-kimbrel-jersey-red-sox.html . Pillar is batting .305 with 17 extra-base hits, 19 RBI and five stolen bases in 34 games for Buffalo this season. The right-handed hitter had an International League high, 18-game hitting streak this season and currently owns an IL high 26-game on base streak.BROSSARD, Que. -- Goalie Carey Price and defencemen Andrei Markov and Alexei Emelin werent on the flight when the Montreal Canadiens left Tuesday to face the Blackhawks in Chicago. Coach Michel Therrien said he will give the three players a rest ahead of the NHL playoffs. The Canadiens play Wednesday night in Chicago and return home to face the New York Islanders on Thursday night before ending the regular season Saturday against the New York Rangers. "At this stage, a lot of players are dealing with little bumps," said Therrien. "Markov and Emelin play a lot of difficult minutes against the other teams best players. They kill penalties. They block shots and get involved physically. This will give some young players a chance to play." Therrien did not say whether backup goalie Peter Budaj will start in Chicago. Dustin Tokarski was recalled from AHL Hamilton. Price will start against the two New York teams. Therrien also would not say if other veterans will be rested this week. "Most players would rather play than sit out,&qquot; he said, adding that there is a fine line between giving players rest and to risking to lose the momentum the team has had in the last three weeks. Jackie Bradley Jr. Red Sox Jersey. Markovs team-leading run of 137 consecutive games played will end. P.K. Subban will become the new team leader at 122 games. Subbans defence partner Josh Gorges is expected to return after missing 15 games following surgery on his left hand, and rookies Nathan Beaulieu and Jarred Tinordi will both play. Despite resting key veterans, Therrien said the team was going to Chicago "to win." The Canadiens have clinched a playoff spot, but are still battling for home-ice advantage in the first round. "It gets downplayed before the playoffs, but if it goes to a Game 7, we prefer to play it at home," said forward Daniel Briere. "With two more wins, we should be OK." Injured forwards Brandon Prust and Travis Moen are also out, as is defenceman Douglas Murray who will sit out the last of a three-game suspension for a check to the head. ' ' '