CINCINNATI -- Josh Rogers is a native of New Albany, Ind., roughly a 90-minute drive southwest of Cincinnati. He had never pitched at Great American Ball Park before, thus making Sunday’s start the first chance for his family and friends to see him pitch in a big league game in close proximity to his hometown.

Team Rogers made themselves heard Sunday afternoon, occupying several rows behind the Nationals’ dugout, cheering Rogers’ every move during his 4 2/3 innings of work.

At one point, third-base umpire Lance Barksdale asked Rogers, “You from around here?”

“It was a special day for them to see me, and special for me to hear them and get cheers on the road,” Rogers said. “Can’t say enough about them. They have all supported me all the way through it. When I pitched in [Triple-A] Louisville, it was easy for them to come watch. But this is the most I’ve had in the Majors.”

For the first four innings, the 27-year-old left-hander gave them plenty to cheer about as he blanked the Reds on three hits. But back-to-back homers by Tyler Stephenson and Nick Castellanos set the stage for an abrupt end to Rogers' day in a 9-2 loss for the Nationals in the series finale.

Rogers, in his fifth start as a member of the Nats, lost for the first time. He allowed three runs on seven hits with a season-high four walks.

“He struggled with his location. And command was a little off today, with the fastball,” said Nationals manager Dave Martinez, who celebrated his 57th birthday Sunday. “He battled and kept us close. He gave up two home runs. He had a lot of pitches, so we got him out of the game. He just couldn’t find that consistency.”

Kyle Farmer’s first career grand slam in the sixth off Ryne Harper sealed the Nats’ fate. It was the 14th grand slam the Nationals have allowed this season, tying a Major League record.

“It’s unfortunate. I felt like I threw some good pitches,” Harper said. “One pitch will do ya -- wish I could have it back. I executed most of my pitches that inning. There was one that I didn’t.”

The Nationals’ offense came in red-hot, but Tyler Mahle had a rare strong start at home. Mahle had a 6.10 ERA at Great American Ball Park and a 1.85 mark on the road coming in, but he did not allow an earned run across six innings Sunday.

“Their guy pitched well,” Martinez said. “He mixed up his pitches and kept us off balance all day.”

Nationals third baseman Carter Kieboom returned to the lineup after being out with a sore left forearm and went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Kieboom nearly had another hit, but he was robbed on a diving catch by center fielder Jose Barrero in the ninth.

“Carter had good at-bats all day today, which was good to see,” Martinez said.

Rogers said he had around 300 well-wishers in the stands Sunday. His mom promoted his start on social media and had 80 T-shirts made with his name on the back. The only regret for Rogers is that he didn’t put up better numbers during his 102-pitch outing.

“It sucks,” Rogers said. “Because I felt really good in the bullpen. Couldn’t get ahead. Not being able to control the inside of the plate, it’s going to be a struggle for me. All in all, not a good performance by me. I wasn’t too amped up or anything. Some days you just don’t have it.”