(Sports Network) - Up-and-down right-hander Bronson Arroyo goes for a second straight victory today when the Cincinnati Reds continue a four-game series against the visiting Washington Nationals at Great American Ball Park.

Arroyo, a native of Key West, Florida, has failed to find a consistent rhythm all year, losing his first three decisions before winning four of five and then losing three straight.

He rebounded somewhat with a 9-5 interleague defeat of Cleveland in his most recent effort on June 29 in Northeast Ohio.

In that game, the member of the 2004 World Series champion Boston Red Sox allowed five hits and an earned run in six innings, walking two batters and striking out six.

He'd suffered through the toughest outing of his career just five days earlier, getting roughed up for 11 hits and 10 runs in one inning of a 14-1 loss at Toronto.

Arroyo has split two decisions in four career starts against the Nationals, posting a 5.95 earned run average in 19 2/3 innings.

For Washington, right-hander Jason Bergmann starts against the Reds for the first time.

The 26-year-old, a 2002 draft pick of the Montreal Expos, has pitched two innings in two relief appearances against Cincinnati, allowing three hits and a run and walking a batter.

He earned his most recent 2008 victory back on May 15 against the New York Mets, tossing seven innings of three-hit ball in a 1-0 victory.

He's 0-4 in eight starts since, but has pitched well in the last two, giving up just two earned runs in 12 hits in 14 innings against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Baltimore.

On Thursday, Brandon Phillips drove in three runs on three hits to lift the Reds over the Nationals, 5-3.

Johnny Cueto (7-8) tossed seven strong innings for the Reds, who won for the first time in three outings. The 22-year-old rookie Dominican allowed three runs on seven hits and one walk, while striking out eight, including the first three hitters of the game. He earned the win in his first career start against Washington.

Elijah Dukes homered and drove in two for the Nationals, who took six of seven from the Reds last season and have lost three of four overall.

Jesus Colome (2-2) suffered the defeat in relief of John Lannan. Colome was tagged for two unearned runs on one hit and one walk. Lannan went the first six innings as he yielded three runs, five hits and three walks.

Washington took six of seven from the Reds last season.