WASHINGTON -- It was fitting for the July 4 occasion: A couple of struggling Reds hitters declared independence from their slumps, and a club that often features a different hitter leading the way had almost everybody get involved.

The self-proclaimed "America's Team" did some of its best work on America's birthday in the nation's capital. Two home runs by Jonathan India, another by Nick Senzel and four hits each from rookies Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer helped the Reds take an 8-4 victory over the Nationals on Tuesday at Nationals Park.

“Today was everyone. It was sick. Our lineup was clicking," India said.

Cincinnati (47-39) has won six of its past seven games and 18 of its past 22.

In the first inning against lefty Patrick Corbin, Matt McLain hustled for a double to left field. After bolting from second as India batted, he scored the game's first run on an RBI single. Steer blooped a hit between three defenders in short left field to add a second run.

"You never know for sure, an 11 o’clock [morning] game, and obviously we’ve been playing hard and had a night game last night," Reds manager David Bell said. "The way we came out early in that game, the baserunning set the tone for the game."

With one out in the third inning, Senzel hit Corbin's 2-1 pitch to left field for a three-run homer and a 5-0 lead. With prospects rising, Senzel's playing time has been reduced in recent weeks. He was playing right field in his first start since June 26 at Baltimore.

India added solo homers to center in the fourth and sixth innings, after going 5-for-43 (.116) with a grand slam over his previous 12 games.

“At the end of the day, results don’t matter. All I care about is winning," India said. "As long as my team is winning, I can care less about how I do. I just want to help win any way how. I just prepare every day like it’s my last game. I make sure I’m mentally ready, physically ready and give it all I’ve got on that day."

The switch-hitting De La Cruz, who came in batting .107 as a right-handed hitter on the season and was 6-for-39 overall with 16 strikeouts in his past nine games, collected four singles with a sacrifice fly.

“That was huge today," De La Cruz said via translator Jorge Merlos. "I’m glad about the results today, batting right-handed. Things went well for us. Hopefully it will continue.”

Three of De La Cruz's hits came from the right side of the plate against Corbin. After his leadoff hit in the third inning, he stole second base easily -- one of the team's six swipes on the day.

Bell expected the 21-year-old De La Cruz to gain confidence from the right side.

“He had a great day at the plate, on the bases, at third base," Bell said. "He’s been working really hard on his right-handed swing. Working both sides can be a lot of maintenance for a switch-hitter. I know he’s been trying to get locked in right-handed, and today was a big day for him. It should get him going.”

De La Cruz became only the second Major League player 21 or younger since 1950, and the first since Minnesota’s Luis Rivas (2000-01), to record two four-hit games within his first 25 games.

In his first big league appearance since 2018, starting pitcher Brett Kennedy worked five-plus innings in his Reds debut and allowed four runs on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts.

Kennedy gave up only two doubles to CJ Abrams in the first four innings until Derek Hill hit an RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning. In the sixth, after Kennedy walked the first batter and gave up a single, reliever Fernando Cruz allowed two inherited runners to score to make it a three-run game.

“For me, we had a lead early, and it was just throw strikes and trust the defense," Kennedy said. "If you give up a run, just limit and get the team back in the dugout and let them just swing.”

Perhaps because they weren't expected to contend this season, or because of their lack of tenure, none of the Reds' offensive leaders this season -- India, McLain, Steer or De La Cruz -- were invited to join Alexis Díaz at the All-Star Game.

“I’m not worried about what people think about us. At the end of the day, we’re just having fun together playing the game that we love, playing with heart, playing with passion," India said. "We have one goal in mind: to make it to the end and win the ring.”