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Harris slams Nationals over Cubs

Aug 23, 2008 - 12:35 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- It took a career day from Willie Harris to do it, but the Washington Nationals finally won back-to-back games.

Harris hit a pair of home runs, including a go-ahead grand slam in the sixth inning, and drove in a career-high six runs to lead the Nationals to a 13-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday.

"It was a good day for us as a team; as for me, it might be the best game of my career," Harris said. "We got into town late and I'm kind of tired today. Guys say that's when you play your best sometimes, but this is the first time that has happened to me."

After suffering through a 12-game losing streak that ended with Thursday's 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, the Nationals (46-83) have won consecutive games for the first time since sweeping an August 7 doubleheader against Colorado.

John Lannan (7-12) struggled through 6 1/3 innings, giving up five runs and seven hits, but the Nationals gave him more than enough support to pick up his first victory since July 19.

It took a few innings for those runs to start coming.

After falling behind, 4-0, the Nationals got to Cubs starter Jason Marquis in the sixth. After an infield single and two walks loaded the bases, Lastings Milledge's sacrifice fly and Ron Belliard's run-scoring double cut the deficit to two.

"Our players were still positive even when Marquis was pitching great the first five innings," Nationals manager Manny Acta said. "But the wind was blowing out and we thought if we could get a couple of guys on base, maybe we could get one out into the basket and we did that."

Harris delivered the kill shot two batters later, driving Neal Cotts' fastball to right field for his first career grand slam, giving the Nationals a 6-4 edge.

"It's great to hit a grand slam but I wish it was against somebody else because Neal and I go way back from our days of playing with the White Sox and I consider him a friend," Harris said. "But I am trying to do my job."

Harris also hit a two-run homer in the ninth as Washington enjoyed its best offensive showing in a miserable month. It was the first career multi-homer game for Harris, who has shown more power. Coming into 2008 with seven career blasts, Harris has 12 this season.

"Willie has been a very good player for us since he has been out there every day - not only offensively but defensively he has been a sparkplug," Acta said.

Belliard had four hits and two RBI and Aaron Boone blasted a bases-clearing double in the eighth as the Nationals reached double digits for the first time since August 2, a 10-6 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

Marquis looked well on his way to recording his third straight victory before running into trouble. He didn't give up a hit until the fourth but was charged with four runs in 5 1/3 innings. He did not factor in the decision.

"From our perspective it was a good game for five innings," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "But you can't walk three people in that inning. You know they are going to score and that's exactly what happened."

Cotts (0-2) gave up his first runs since August 3 and was saddled with the loss.

The Cubs (78-50), who own the National League's best record, fell to 1-3 against baseball's worst team.