Dansby Swanson leads Cubs to narrow win over Nats

Dansby Swanson collected three hits and four runs and Cody Bellinger had three RBIs to help the host Chicago Cubs to a 7-6 victory over the Washington Nationals on Thursday.

Chicago's Seiya Suzuki hit a two-run home run and Ian Happ had three hits and scored twice. Isaac Paredes scored two runs for the Cubs (78-75), who hit 12 hits to end a modest two-game losing streak.

Washington's Joey Gallo hit a three-run home run and James Wood, Andres Chaparro and Jose Tena each scored a run. CJ Abrams had four hits and scored twice for the Nationals (68-85), who allowed 29 runs during their four-game losing streak.

Chicago overcame a 3-1 deficit by scoring two runs each in the third and fifth innings before Gallo answered with a three-run shot in the sixth. Gallo fouled off two pitches before hitting a 1-2 sinker from Drew Smyly over the right-field wall. It was his eighth home run of the season and his second in his last four games.

Bellinger hit an RBI single against Robert Garcia (3-6) in the seventh inning to tie the game 6-6 before Paredes brought Swanson home on a groundout. Garcia suffered the loss after allowing two runs on three hits in one inning.

The late rally gave Ethan Roberts (1-0) the winner, earning his first career major league victory after throwing a scoreless inning as a relief pitcher. Jorge Lopez did not allow a single hit in the scoreless eighth inning, and Porter Hodge left two runners in scoring position in the ninth inning, earning his sixth save of the season.

Happ hit a single to lead off the third inning, and Suzuki walked two batters later and sent a 3-2 sinker from Patrick Corbin over the left-center field wall. Suzuki's home run was his 21st of the season.

The Cubs quickly loaded the bases in the fifth inning before Bellinger's groundout to first base brought Happ home. Derek Law relieved Corbin and allowed Paredes' sacrifice fly that scored Swanson and gave Chicago a 5-3 lead.

–Field level media