The Cubs reeled off four runs in the first inning and held on to top the Nationals, 7-4, at Wrigley Field. Alex Avila capped the four-run first with a two-run homer. Wilson Contreras added a two-run shot of his own in the sixth. John Lackey tossed five frames of three-run ball to pick up the win. The Cubs ended a three-game slide and improved to 58-and-51.
Edwin Jackson struck out eight over five innings of four-run ball to get tagged with the loss for Washington. Bryce Harper went deep in the first for the Nats, who have lost five-of-eight. The rubber match is today.
