CINCINNATI (AP) Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Joey Votto homered on consecutive pitches by Eury PĆ©rez in the fourth inning, and the Cincinnati Reds stopped a six-game slide by holding off the Miami Marlins for a 5-2 victory on Monday night.

TJ Friedl had two hits and two RBIs as Cincinnati improved to 10-14 since the All-Star break. The six-game slide matched the season high for the Reds (60-55), who remain in the thick of the playoff race.

ā€œWeā€™ve got less than two months to go,ā€ Votto said. "Everybody is going to contribute. Weā€™re going to need everybody to contribute. Iā€™d like to be a part of that group. Thatā€™s where my headā€™s at.ā€

Cincinnati rookie Brandon Williamson (4-2) struck out a career-high nine in 6 2/3 innings. The left-hander allowed one run and three hits.

ā€œIt was just when we needed it the most for sure," manager David Bell said. ā€œNot only for the win, (but) how much weā€™ve used our bullpen. It was the best weā€™ve seen him.ā€

Jorge Soler and Jazz Chisholm Jr. homered for Miami in its fifth straight loss. The Marlins (58-56) finished with five hits and two errors.

ā€œKeep fighting,ā€ Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. ā€œWeā€™re in this. There are all kinds of teams that are pushing to get into wild-card spots or win divisions. The Reds are one of them. Weā€™re right there with them.ā€

Bryan De La Cruz and Jake Burger opened the ninth with consecutive walks for Miami. But All-Star closer Alexis DĆ­az struck out JesĆŗs SĆ”nchez on a foul tip and got pinch-hitter Luis Arraez to bounce into a game-ending double play.

It was DĆ­az's 33rd save in 34 opportunities.

The 20-year-old PĆ©rez was charged with four runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings. The 6-foot-8 right-hander struck out seven and walked two.

ā€œIt meant a lot to just see him walk through those doors today,ā€ Schumaker said. "You like to write his name down every fifth or sixth day, whatever we decide to do. I thought he did a really good job in his first start back.ā€

It was PĆ©rez's first big league start since July 6. He was optioned to Double-A after eclipsing his career high in innings.

Soler hit his 27th homer in the first and PĆ©rez (5-4) retired his first seven batters, striking out the side in the second. But Will Benson and Elly De La Cruz walked ahead of Friedl's two-run triple in the third.

ā€œThese batters are veteran batters, they know their stuff,ā€ PĆ©rez said through a translator. ā€œSome of the walks didn't help me, mostly in that third inning. The changeup location was working very well. I was happy to get the opportunity.ā€

Encarnacion-Strand and Votto went deep on PĆ©rezā€™s first two pitches in the fourth. It was the second homer for Encarnacion-Strand and 13th of the season for Votto.

ā€œThe beginning of the game, I thought they were going to ambush the fastball,ā€ Schumaker said. ā€œThey were on it. Second time around, they connected.ā€

Chisolm, who didnā€™t play on Sunday due to a right hamstring cramp, recorded his first career pinch-hit homer in the eighth.

TOSSED

Marlins left fielder AvisaĆ­l GarcĆ­a was ejected in the fifth by plate umpire Roberto Ortiz. GarcĆ­a had words with Ortiz after a borderline pitch earlier in his at-bat. After striking out swinging, GarcĆ­a began shouting at Ortiz and was ejected.

In the eighth, Schumaker was ejected by Ortiz following a discussion at the mound while a trainer checked on left-hander Tanner Scott.

ā€œUmpires make mistakes at times,ā€ Schumaker said. ā€œWe feel like it becomes one-sided a little bit. You have to protect your players and say some things. Roberto's a good guy. Just a disagreement today on the strike zone.ā€

TRAINERS ROOM

Marlins: RHP Tommy Nance (right shoulder sprain) will make a rehab appearance for Double-A Pensacola on Tuesday.

Reds: RHP Casey Legumina (right shoulder pain) was reinstated from the injured list and optioned to Triple-A Louisville. ... LHP Alex Young (back spasms) was not available Monday and is day to day.

UP NEXT

Miami LHP Braxton Garrett (5-3, 4.14 ERA) is 0-2 in three career starts vs. Cincinnati. Reds RHP Luke Weaver (2-4, 6.98 ERA) has allowed 28 of his 71 runs in the first inning. Garrett and Weaver face off on Tuesday.

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