Cubs 5, Nationals 3
Justin Ruggiano smacked a go-ahead two-run double in the seventh inning and Anthony Rizzo went 3-for-4 and scored a run as host Chicago claimed the opener of a four-game series.
Ruggiano's big two-out hit into the left-field corner made a winner of Neil Ramirez (1-1), who recorded the final out in the seventh for his first major-league victory, and Hector Rondon worked a perfect ninth for his ninth save. Starlin Castro knocked in two runs and Ruggiano had a pair of hits for the Cubs.
Denard Span had two hits and two RBIs and Wilson Ramos added a pair of hits and scored a run for Washington, which has lost two straight following a four-game winning streak. Craig Stammen (0-3) was charged with the loss, allowing two runs in two innings of relief.
Castro put the Cubs on top with a two-run single in the fourth and came around to score on Welington Castillo's RBI single for a 3-0 lead. Cubs starter Travis Wood kept the Nationals off the board for five innings before surrendering an RBI single to Anthony Rendon in the sixth and being chased by Span's game-tying two-run double with two outs in the seventh.
Chicago answered in the bottom of the frame as Darwin Barney doubled with one out, Chris Coghlan walked and Ryan Sweeney reached on a fielder's choice to put runners at first and third for Ruggiano, who ripped a 2-1 fastball past third to clear the bases. The Nationals rolled into three double plays and had two runners cut down by outfield assists, including Ryan Zimmerman at the plate in the second inning.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Cubs CF Junior Lake left the game in the second inning after crashing into the outfield wall while trying to make a sliding catch. Lake suffered bruises on his knee and head but passed concussion tests and is day-to-day. … Nationals RHP Doug Fister allowed three runs and seven hits over six innings, only the third time in 10 starts this season he has permitted more than two runs. … Sweeney went 0-for-4 in the leadoff spot, making Cubs leadoff hitters 7-for-53 in 13 games since 2B/OF Emilio Bonifacio went on the disabled list.