Roark impressive in Nats' 2-1 win

Tanner Roark was in a familiar spot on Monday afternoon. The right-hander returned to the mound as a starter for the first time this season and delivered five stellar innings in the Nationals' 2-1 victory over the Cubs.

Roark, who grew up about 60 miles from Wrigley Field, gave up just one run on three hits, with one walk and three strikeouts. His only blemish was a first inning homer by Cubs rookie phenom Kris Bryant. Otherwise, Roark was outstanding as he worked quickly and efficiently in his 66-pitch outing.

"With the exception of one slider to Bryant, he threw the ball exactly where he wanted to throw it today," Nationals manager Matt Williams said to reporters after the game. "He really kept his pitch count down through five. He knows how to pitch. He knows how to get guys out. I thought his fastball ... it stayed at 95 (mph) today."

Roark also benefited from some incredible defense. With one on and two outs in the second, Cubs starter Tsuyoshi Wada roped a line drive to the gap in left-center. It appeared headed for extra bases until rookie Michael A. Taylor came flying through the air to make a sensational diving catch. The stunning play saved a run for Roark, who celebrated with a big smile and both arms elevated.

"Mikey's catch early ... generally the pitcher you're playing a little shallower than normal," Williams said to reporters. "Wada hit that ball good. He made a great play. You never know where that inning can go if that ball gets in."

An inning later, Bryce Harper helped Roark with a leaping grab at the wall in right field to rob Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Harper's effort kept another run off the board.

"Harp banged himself pretty good going into the wall," Williams said to reporters. "It's not real forgiving out there because it's brick behind it. But he made a nice play running full-steam into the wall."

Harper seemed to be favoring his right arm after the play, but the effects didn't show when he doubled moments later in his next at-bat.

A pair of solo homers from Denard Span and Wilson Ramos was all the offense Roark and the Nats needed. Span's blast led off the game and it was crushed, smashing off the new scoreboard at Wrigley Field. It's the second time this year that Span has opened a game with home run.

Ramos' shot was also a no-doubter to the opposite field, and it gave the Nats the lead in the sixth.

Once the Nats regained the lead, the bullpen shut the door. Relievers Blake Treinen, Matt Thornton and Aaron Barrett combined to pitch three scoreless innings before turning it over to closer Drew Storen for his National League-leading 15th save in the ninth.

But this day was about Roark, who was making his first start this year after being bumped from the Nats rotation despite going 15-10 with a sparkling 2.85 ERA last season.

"That guy's a gamer," Storen said on "Nats Xtra" on MASN. "There's really no better way to put it. He took everything in stride this year. He deserves this. He came out here and pitched a great game. He's been throwing the ball well all year, so he definitely deserves this, and I'm excited to see it."

It's a luxury for Williams to have the valuable Roark available to make spot starts when needed.

"It just doesn't matter to him what the role is," Williams said to reporters. "He's anxious to get the ball whenever he wants it, whenever we can give it to him. Whether it's one inning or five innings, it doesn't matter."