Cubs build big lead, barely hold off Nationals

Cody Bellinger's two-run homer capped a seven-run second inning, Keegan Thompson struck out Dylan Crews with the potential tying and winning runs on base in the ninth and the visiting Chicago Cubs held on to beat the Washington Nationals 7-6 on Friday.

After Ildemaro Vargas singled home a run against Tyson Miller with one out in the ninth, Drew Smyly came on with runners on first and third and walked CJ Abrams to load the bases.

Keibert Ruiz struck out, but Jacob Young singled up the middle, scoring two runs to make it 7-6. Thompson came on and struck out Crews to earn his second save.

Michael Busch and Ian Happ each had two hits and an RBI and Pete Crow-Armstrong smacked a two-run double for the Cubs, who have won four straight and seven of their past eight as they chase a National League wild-card spot.

Chicago's Shota Imanaga (11-3) allowed three runs on four hits over six innings. He walked one, struck out eight and retired 11 consecutive batters in one stretch.

Washington starter Jake Irvin (9-11) allowed seven runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings. He fanned six and walked two. The Nationals got 4 1/3 innings of scoreless one-hit relief from their bullpen to stay in the game.

The Nationals took an early 2-0 lead. James Wood singled with one out in the first. With two outs, Andres Chaparro walked and Jose Tena doubled to the gap in right-center, scoring both runners.

The Cubs scored 41 runs in a three-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates this week, and they picked up Friday night where they left off.

In the second, Isaac Paredes, Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson singled to pull the Cubs within 2-1. After a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third Crow-Armstrong doubled them home to give Chicago a 3-2 lead.

With one out, Happ was safe at first on a fielder's-choice grounder as Crow-Armstrong beat the throw home. Happ scored on a double by Busch. With two outs, Bellinger homered to right-center to make it 7-2.

Crews, who made his debut on Monday, hit his second homer in four games to make it 7-3 in the third.

--Field Level Media