Baker, Hammel Help Cubs Beat Nationals 7-2
CHICAGO (AP) -- Light-hitting catcher John Baker had three hits, a walk and four RBIs, and Chicago Cubs starter Jason Hammel again mastered the Washington Nationals in a 7-2 victory Friday.
Baker capped his big day with a bases-loaded, three-run double off reliever Jerry Blevins in the seventh inning. He entered the game with a .160 batting average in 35 games. With the four RBIs, he doubled his season total to eight. He also had four RBIs against the Nationals on Sept. 4, 2009, in Washington.
Chris Coghlan, Justin Ruggiano and Ryan Sweeney each had a pair of hits in the 13-hit attack to help the Cubs win for the 21st time in their last 38 games.
Hammel (7-5) allowed two runs on five hits and one walk in 6 1-3 innings en route to his seventh victory in seven decisions against the Nationals.
Washington's Tanner Roark (7-5) allowed four runs in six innings to take the loss. The University of Illinois product had won his previous four starts, in which he did not allow more than two runs.
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