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Nieves' walk-off homer lifts Nationals past Cubs

Apr 26, 2008 - 4:14 AM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Will Nieves' first career home run was a memorable one.

Nieves delivered a walk-off blast in the ninth inning to propel the Washington Nationals to a 5-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday.

Nick Johnson also homered and Lastings Milledge added two hits and an RBI for the Nationals, who have won three of their last four games.

Nieves, who first entered the majors in 2002, crushed an 0-2 offering from Cubs reliever Bob Howry (0-2) over the right field wall and into the Nationals' bullpen to give Washington the victory.

"After I hit it, it was like I was walking on clouds," Nieves said. "I've never had this experience before. It feels great."

Austin Kearns led off the ninth inning with a base hit to center, and after Willie Harris struck out, Nieves drove a pitch that appeared to be high and off the plate to the opposite field for his first home run in 163 career at-bats.

"He's not a home run hitter," National manager Manny Acta said. "It was nice to see him get his first home run the way he did."

"They got a home run by their back-up catcher. End of story," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said tersely.

Jon Rauch (2-0) picked up the win after retiring the side in order in the ninth.

"He did his job," Acta said of Rauch. "Had a low pitch count, so he will be available tomorrow."

Johnson gave the Nationals an early 2-0 edge with a two-run shot over the right field wall in the first inning.

Ryan Theriot drove in a run with a double in the third and Aramis Ramirez added an RBI groundout in the fifth to tie the game at 2-2. The Nationals reclaimed the lead in the sixth on Milledge's RBI single to right.

The Cubs tied the game again at 3-3 in the eighth inning after Washington reliever Mike O'Connor walked in a run. With only one out and the bases loaded, Saul Rivera entered the game and struck out Mike Fontenot and got Reed Johnson to ground out to end the threat.

"Saul was huge, getting the 'K' and getting out of the inning," Acta said. "He proved again how valuable he is to this club."

Reed Johnson scored two runs and made a spectacular diving catch in center field for Chicago, which has lost two in a row after winning six straight games.