Nico Hoerner had two hits and scored two runs as the Chicago Cubs defeated the error-prone Washington Nationals 5-3 on Saturday, earning their fifth consecutive win.
Javier Assad pitched six innings, allowing three runs, as the Cubs won for the eighth time in nine games. The Cubs (70-66), who are aiming to secure a spot in the last NL wild card, had a strong performance in August with an 18-8 record.
“We have given ourselves a chance to play games in September that count and mean something,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said.
“It took a really good month and it’s going to take another great month. I am proud of the guys for putting together a great stretch of baseball and giving ourselves a chance here.”
José Tena went 3 for 3 for Washington, and Andrés Chaparro hit his second career home run.
The Nationals had two runners on base in the ninth inning, but Porter Hodge struck out Dylan Crews and James Wood to earn his third save.
“Like I always say, I like to keep the game close,” Assad said through a translator. “We have a great offense. I know we started off losing, but the runs kept coming. With a great offense, that’s the mindset I always have out there.”
Chicago took the lead with four runs in the fifth inning against DJ Herz (2-7), a former Cubs prospect who was traded to the Nationals last year.
Isaac Paredes led off with a single to left field for the team’s first hit of the game. Michael Busch walked, and Hoerner singled to load the bases with no outs.
After a Pete Crow-Armstrong sacrifice fly, Christian Bethancourt singled, and center fielder Jacob Young overran the ball.
