WASHINGTON, July 21 (UPI) -- A two-run single by Alex Escobar in the bottom of the eighth inning Friday night gave Washington a 7-6 win over the Chicago Cubs.
Escobar had two hits; Marlon Anderson stroked a three-run double; Ryan Zimmerman hit a sacrifice fly; Felipe Lopez had a run and two hits; and Alfonso Soriano had two runs and one hit for the Nationals (41-56), who won for the third time in their last five games.
In relief, the winner was Jon Rauch (3-1). Chad Cordero earned his 15th save.
Aramis Ramirez hit two home runs and knocked in three runs, and John Mabry hit a solo shot for the Cubs (37-58), who have dropped three of their last five games.
The loser was Bob Howry (3-3).
In his first start off the disabled list, Mark Prior gave up four runs and four hits in 3 1/3 innings.
