Nats win 3-2 over Reds on Phillips' throwing error

Cristian Guzman scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error by Cincinnati second baseman Brandon Phillips in the eighth inning and the Washington Nationals beat the Reds 3-2 Thursday.

With the bases loaded and one out, Ryan Zimmerman bounced a slow grounder to shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who flipped to Phillips to force Alberto Gonzalez. As Anderson Hernandez crossed the plate with the tying run, Phillips threw wildly to first, allowing Guzman to score.

The win was the third in 16 games for the Nationals, who left 12 runners on base before the eighth.

Julian Tavarez (2-4) pitched two scoreless innings in relief of John Lannan and Joe Biemel got his first save of the year, pitching a scoreless ninth.

Daniel Herrera (0-2), the Reds' fourth pitcher of the game, took the loss. Starter Micah Owings hasn't won in his past six starts and wasn't able to last six innings.

The Reds scored a run in the second when Zimmerman's wild throw from third base on Adam Rosales' infield single hit the tarp past first base.

They added their second run in the fourth against Lannan when Gonzalez's RBI single scored Jonny Gomes.

Washington made it 2-1 in the sixth when Guzman's infield out scored Josh Willingham.

Notes: Adam Dunn started at first base for Washington in place of Nick Johnson. Johnson had a pinch-hit single in the sixth inning. ... Nationals manager Manny Acta said Dunn will be his designated hitter for the upcoming series at Tampa Bay. ... Ramon Hernandez started at C for the Reds. With 1B Joey Votto injured, Hernandez had started 10 of the previous 11 games at first. ... Washington selected RHP Shane McCatty, son of pitching coach Steve McCatty, in the 34th round of the draft.

(This version CORRECTS Nationals 3, Reds 2. corrects losing pitcher to Herrera.)