WASHINGTON -- Denard Span will take the five hits, of course, especially with three of them coming off Johnny Cueto. 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. Nike Air Max 720 Goedkoop . Last year, Matt Kuchar closed with a 4-under 68 to beat Kevin Chappell by two strokes for his second win of the 2013 season and sixth of his career. Nike Air Max 95 Nederland .com) - Joe Pavelski scored twice to lead the San Jose Sharks in a 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers to split a home-and-home set. http://www.airmaxkopennederland.com/uitv...70-dames.html.C. -- Carter Ashton had a pair of goals and added an assist as the Toronto Marlies downed the Charlotte Checkers 5-2 on Saturday in the American Hockey League. Nike Air Max 270 Nederland .com) - Marc Gasol and the Grizzlies withstood 18 Dallas 3-pointers, as Memphis took control in the third quarter and fended off a Mavericks rally en route to a 114-105 win in a Southwest Division showdown. Nike Air Max Outlet Nederland . Infante hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning and had an RBI single in a four-run fifth against former teammate Justin Verlander, helping the Kansas City Royals beat the Tigers 11-8 Monday night.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca. Kerry, Great column and Happy New Year to you and your family! Wanted to give kudos to referee Brad Meier, who demonstrated great knowledge of the rules when a rare situation occurred in a game between the Kings and Bruins on Thursday night (and the second time Ive seen it at Staples Center). Bostons Dougie Hamilton was exiting the penalty box shortly after the start of the second period and played the puck while his skates were still in the box. Meier immediately blew the play dead and assessed the minor for interference. This was a much better outcome than a couple seasons ago when a player stopped a potential breakaway by playing the puck from the bench in a late-season game. Kerry, youve made thousands of calls over your career, whats the rarest/oddest youve had to make? Keep up the great work! Derek May Hey Derek:Kudos to you as well for crediting referee Brad Meier for his quick and accurate response when Dougie Hamilton committed a violation of rule 56.2 by playing the puck while his skate(s) remained firmly planted inside the penalty box. (56.2—A minor penalty shall be imposed on any identifiable player on the players or penalty bench who, by means of his stick or his body, interferes with the movements of the puck or any opponent on the ice during the progress of the play. In addition, should a player about to come onto the ice, play the puck while one or both skates are still on the players or penalty bench, a minor penalty for interference shall be assessed.) Quite interestingly I had the occasion to assess a similar penalty when a player stepped out of the penalty box in Calgary to grab a clearing shot with full intention to sprint away on a breakaway. He never got any farther than touching the puck before I blew the whistle since his back skate was still in coontact with the threshold of the penalty box door! At the time all the players were confused by the call since they had no idea about the rule.dddddddddddd The most bizarre interference penalty of this nature was one I called on Jaromir Jagr in a game at the Igloo in Pittsburgh. Jagr was waiting patiently to replace his teammate on the fly who was still a good fifteen feet from the Penguins bench. Jaromir wanted to get a head start so he sat on top of the bench dasher boards with his skates hanging down and dangling above the ice. Jagrs teammate made it to the bench in time for a legal change just as the puck came near the bench. Rather than jump off the dasher onto the ice Jaromir remained seated, stopped the puck and began to stickhandle it with his skates still hanging off the ice. Jagr was quite surprised when I blew the whistle and gave him an interference penalty. He didnt know that what he did was illegal either! Another time the same player (Jagr) decided to leave the ice while play was in progress. The problem was he didnt go to his players bench to make a legal substitution but instead stopped in front of the end zone door that leads to the Penguins dressing room. Jags knocked on the glass, the young kid that attended to the dressing room opened the door (who was he to argue with Jaromir Jagr?) and the Penguin superstar stepped off the ice as play continued! The Pens were subsequently playing a man short with Jagr heading to the dressing room so a replacement player jumped over the boards from the bench. Once the Penguins gained possession of the puck I stopped play and assessed a bench minor penalty for illegal substitution. Jaromir Jagr is an amazing player and an automatic selection to the Hockey Hall of Fame awaits him whenever he finally retires. It was a thrill to watch him perform from close range for so many years. I was also happy that I was able to teach Jagr some of the playing rules along the way. ' ' '