Russell, Cubs Beat Nationals 8-5 For 6th Straight Victory
CHICAGO (AP) — Addison Russell dropped in a tiebreaking, two-run double in the seventh inning and the Chicago Cubs beat the Washington Nationals, 8-5, on Saturday for their sixth straight victory.
Kris Bryant homered and Ben Zobrist had an RBI for the sixth game in a row as the Cubs took the matchup of NL division leaders.
Chicago has won 10 of 11 and improved the best record in the majors to 23-6. The Nationals have the league's second-best record but have lost three straight.
Russell finished with three RBIs. It was 5-all when the Cubs loaded the bases with two outs, and Russell hit a flyball to right that landed barely fair as outfielder Bryce Harper ran toward the brick wall in pursuit. A review confirmed the ball was fair.
Zobrist singled home a run in the eighth. He has 15 RBIs in his last six games.
Adam Warren (3-0) pitched a scoreless inning for the win. Hector Rondon earned his sixth save in as many chances.
Sammy Solis (0-1) allowed two runs in the seventh.
Pinch hitter Ryan Kalish hit a two-run single in the Cubs sixth.
Ryan Zimmerman beat out a potential inning-ending double play throw to first to drive in the tying run in the seventh for Washington. Ben Revere scored after he led off with a triple. A review confirmed Zimmerman was safe.
The Cubs scored three times in the sixth for a 5-4 lead. Kalish hit a two-out, based-loaded single after Russell's RBI single.
Bryant hit his fifth homer of the season, connecting in the fourth off Gio Gonzalez.
Harper had a sacrifice fly in the third off Jason Hammel.
Hammel allowed a season-high three runs and matched a season high of four walks in five innings.
Gonzalez gave up five runs and seven hits — both season highs — in 5 2/3 innings. He entered the game with a 1.15 ERA, second in the NL.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Nationals: 2B Daniel Murphy and 3B Anthony Rendon were "under the weather," manager Dusty Baker said. Murphy, the NL's top hitter (.406), was out of the starting lineup while Rendon batted sixth instead of his usual No. 2 spot. Baker said he couldn't afford to rest both. Murphy pinch hit in the ninth. Stephen Drew started at second.
Cubs: C Miguel Montero (lower back tightness) will increase his hitting Sunday, manager Joe Maddon said. Maddon has no timetable for Montero's return, but he said the catcher is doing better. Montero went on the DL April 25.
UP NEXT
RHP Tanner Roark (2-2, 2.35 ERA) will start for the Nationals in their series finale Sunday against the Cubs. RHP Jake Arrieta (6-0, 0.84) has recorded 17 consecutive victories for the longest streak by a Cubs starter in franchise history.
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