WASHINGTON, May 10 (UPI) -- Ian Desmond put Washington in front with a two-run homer in the fourth Friday and added an RBI double, lifting the Nationals over the Chicago Cubs 7-3.
Washington won its fifth in a row despite being outhit 10-9.
The Nationals and Cubs were locked in a 2-2 battle through three, but Washington moved in front when Adam LaRoche singled to lead off the fourth against Jeff Samardzija (1-5) and Desmond followed with a home run to left.
Washington broke things open with a three-run fifth in which Desmond doubled home Ryan Zimmerman and then came in to score along with LaRoche on a double by Danny Espinosa.
Ross Detwiler (2-3) gave up eight hits in 6 2/3 innings, but limited the Cubs to two runs to get the win. He did not walk a batter and struck out two.
Desmond also scored three times, the first of those runs coming when Kurt Suzuki delivered a two-RBI double in the first.
