Nationals 7, Royals 2
Ian Desmond homered and Jordan Zimmermann cruised through 7 2/3 innings as visiting Washington handed Kansas City its seventh consecutive loss.
Chad Tracy singled in two runs during a four-run rally in the fourth and Bryce Harper drove in a run and scored for the Nationals, who have won five straight to pull a game above .500 at 65-64. Washington’s win streak has brought it to within 8 1/2 games of the Cincinnati Reds for the second wild card spot in the National League.
Wade Davis (6-10) was knocked around for seven runs on eight hits in six innings for the Royals, who fell back to .500 at 64-64 and sit eight games behind the Baltimore Orioles for the second American League wild card slot.
Eric Hosmer singled in a run to forge a tie in the third but the Nationals fought back in the next half-inning. Ryan Zimmerman scored the go-ahead run on Wilson Ramos’ sacrifice fly and Adam LaRoche was intentionally walked before Tyler Moore doubled in a run and Tracy delivered his two-run single.
Ramos walked to open the sixth and Desmond followed by driving a 2-2 cutter into the stands in left-center. Zimmermann (15-7) took care of the rest, allowing two runs on eight hits while striking out seven.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Royals have lost 10 of their last 12 games after winning 19 of 24 out of the All-Star break to jump back into the wild card race. … Nationals RF Jayson Werth was held out of the lineup due to a foot infection. … Harper has hit safely in seven straight games and is up to 103 career RBIs, including four in the first two games at Kansas City.