WASHINGTON – Jason Simontacchi shut down the Cleveland Indians for six innings and Jesus Flores drove in two runs, leading the Washington Nationals to a 3-1 victory Sunday.

Ronnie Belliard went 3-for-3 and Dmitri Young scored twice for the Nationals, who took two of three in the series.

Jake Westbrook came off the disabled list and pitched seven solid innings for Cleveland in his first start since May 2.

Simontacchi matched a season high with six strikeouts. Jon Rauch worked a scoreless eighth and Chad Cordero got three outs for his 13th save in 19 chances – less than 24 hours after blowing a two-run lead in the ninth inning of Washington’s 4-3 loss Saturday.

Simontacchi (5-5) rebounded from a miserable outing in his previous start, allowing one run and four hits with one walk. In a 15-1 loss to Detroit on Tuesday, the right-hander gave up a franchise-record tying 10 runs on 10 hits in three innings.

He retired the side in order in only two innings Sunday, but the Indians struggled to mount much offense.

Westbrook (1-3) gave up three runs and seven hits. He struck out two and walked none. He had been on the disabled list with an abdominal injury.

Young led off the second inning by reaching on a hard comebacker that deflected off Westbrook’s left forearm for an infield single. With one out, Young advanced to third on Belliard’s single. Flores then broke out of his 1-for-23 slump with a two-out single up the middle that scored Young.

Washington added a run in the fourth. Young began the inning with a double to right, moved to third on Belliard’s one-out single and scored on Ryan Langerhans’ sacrifice fly.

Franklin Gutierrez homered off Simontacchi in the fifth.

Flores drove home an insurance run with a groundout in the seventh. Belliard led off with a double and went to third on Langerhans’ sacrifice. With the infield in, Flores hit a high bouncer to shortstop that was deep enough for Belliard to race home.

Notes: Washington and Cleveland each finished interleague play 9-9. … Simontacchi struck out a career-high nine for St. Louis on May 2, 2003. He has recorded a decision in each of his starts this year. … Washington Wizards All-Star Caron Butler threw out the ceremonial first pitch. His toss landed well short of home plate and prompted some boos.

AP-ES-06-24-07 1625EDT