Cubs 6 - 3 Nationals
Final
  for this game

Coghlan, Cubs top Nationals

Jun 8, 2015 - 1:43 AM Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - Chris Coghlan had two hits, including a go-ahead, two-run single in the fifth inning, in the Chicago Cubs' 6-3 win over the Washington Nationals.

Starlin Castro also had a two-hit, two-RBI game, and Kris Bryant reached base four times as Chicago won the season series 4-3.

Kyle Hendricks (2-2) allowed three runs -- two earned -- on six hits in five innings in the win. Jason Motte recorded his first save since 2012 when he was tied for the NL lead with 42.

For the first time since April 29, Jordan Zimmermann (5-3) failed to record a quality start. He was tagged for four runs on 10 hits and two walks in just five innings of work, and Blake Treinen allowed two insurance runs for the Cubs.

"It's good to beat a team like that," Bryant said. "To go out there and put up four or five runs off Zimmermann, who is one of their better pitchers, definitely gives us confidence going forward."

After Castro singled home Coghlan in the second, Washington did not take long to respond. Wilson Ramos reached base on a Castro error to start off the home half, and Ian Desmond followed with a two-run homer to right-center field to put Washington in front 2-1.

Zimmermann worked out of a jam with two runners on in the third, but Jonathan Herrera's two-out hit in the fourth tied the game. An inning later, the Cubs went ahead for good. Hits from Anthony Rizzo and Bryant and a walk to Miguel Montero loaded the bases with no outs, and Coghlan cashed in with a two-run single.

The Nationals responded immediately when Clint Robinson, Denard Span and Yunel Escobar hit consecutive singles to bring in a run. Bryce Harper came to the plate, but he flew out to center field and Washington did not score again.

Treinen gave two runs right back in the sixth. A two-out double from Rizzo and walks to Bryant and Montero loaded the bases, and a wild pitch allowed Rizzo to come home. After Coghlan was intentionally walked to reload the bases, Castro singled home Bryant, but the inning ended when Montero was thrown out at home.

"(Treinen) got the first two guys, gave up the double and lost connection with the strike zone a bit," said Nationals manager Matt Williams.

In the seventh, Harper again came to the plate with two runners on base, but his flyout to Coghlan in left field ended the inning and the Nats' last threat. Hector Rondon and Motte each threw a perfect inning in relief to close the game.

Game Notes

Zimmermann had thrown six straight quality starts ... Span left the game after seven innings ... Motte missed all of 2013 due to Tommy John surgery and pitched 25 innings for the Cardinals in 2014 ... Prior to the game, the Cubs activated outfielder Chris Denorfia from the disabled list and optioned outfielder Matt Szczur to Triple-A Iowa ... After each team is off Monday, Washington opens a two-game set in New York against the Yankees while the Cubs travel to Detroit for two games.






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