Gonzalez allows leadoff homer (Cubs win 5-4)

The Cubs struck first with a leadoff home run from catcher Willson Contreras. His eighth homer of the season came on a 3-1 pitch.

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez then induced a couple of flyouts.

Against Ian Happ, Gonzalez recorded the 1,500th strikeout of his career.

The Nationals enjoyed a two-out single from Bryce Harper in the bottom of the first facing Eddie Butler. But Butler managed to get Ryan Zimmerman to ground out to end the threat.

Gonzalez allowed a walk in the second, but got out of the frame unscathed.

Going to the bottom of the second at Nats Park, the Cubs lead the Nats 1-0.

Update: The Nats got singles from Anthony Rendon and Michael A. Taylor in the second. But Gonzalez struck out to end the inning. In the third, Zimmerman got on base thanks to a fielding error by Jeimer Candelario. But Butler did a nice job of recording three outs in a row to end the opportunity.

Gonzalez allowed a two-out double to Candelario in the fourth and intentionally walked Albert Almora Jr. He then got Butler out on a grounder to third. Manager Joe Maddon's strategy of batting his pitcher Butler eighth has backfired in the second and fourth, when the Cubs had at least a man on base. On both occasions, Gonzalez recorded the final out to get out of the inning.

Through four innings, the Cubs lead the Nats 1-0.

Update II: The Cubs had a shot at Gonzalez again in the sixth. With two outs, Candelario reached on a hit by pitch and Almora walked. Facing pinch-hitter Addison Russell, Gonzalez struck him out swinging. Carl Edwards Jr. came on in relief and struck out the side - Brian Goodwin, Harper and Zimmerman - to end the inning.

Gonzalez finished six innings, allowed one run on two hits with five walks (one intentional) and eight strikeouts. He threw 113 pitches, 64 for strikes.

After six innings, the Cubs still lead by one run.

Update III: The Cubs add some insurance in the eighth. With one out against Blake Treinen, Javier Báez singled. Candelario grounded into a fielder's choice - Daniel Murphy's throw to second base and Trea Turner to get Báez was originally called out, but video review reversed the call and Báez was safe. Báez stole third. Almora laid down a squeeze bunt, but Zimmerman's dive and throw to Matt Wieters was late. The Cubs extended their lead to 2-0. Enny Romero recorded a 6-4-3 double play to end the rally.

Update IV: With two outs in the eighth, Goodwin singled. Harper added an infield single that Ian Happ could not handle to put two men on. Facing Justin Grimm, Zimmerman grounded out to third base to end the inning.

In the top of the ninth against Matt Grace, pinch-hitter Tommy La Stella singled and advanced to second on a throwing error by the pitcher. With one out, Rizzo singled to score La Stella. He went to second on an error by Goodwin. After an intentional walk to Bryant, the Cubs attempted a double steal. Rizzo was thrown out at third, but Bryant took second on the fielder's choice. Happ brought Bryant home with RBI single. Suddenly, the Cubs lead ballooned to 4-0. Matt Albers replaced Grace. Báez doubled to score Happ.

The Cubs lead the Nats 5-0 heading to the bottom of the ninth.

Update V: Facing Hector Rondon in the bottom of the ninth, Murphy doubled. WIth one out, Matt Wieters laced a single to right field to plate Murphy and avoid the shutout. The Nats have still not been shut out this season.

Wade Davis came in to pitch. Taylor doubled off the right-center field wall, Wieters advancing to third. Pinch-hitter Stephen Drew doubled to right field line to score two, cuttling the Cubs lead to 5-3.

Wilmer Difo pinch-ran for Drew and Turner drew a walk. Goodwin got Davis to full count, but struck out on 96 mph fastball.

Harper singled just over the outstretched arms of Báez into left field to load the bases.

Davis uncorked a wild pitch high on 1-2 offering to Zimmerman and Difo scored from third. The Nats were within a run at 5-4.

But Zimmerman struck out to end the game.

The Nats score four runs on five hits in the bottom of the ninth and leave two men in scoring position.

Final score: the Cubs 5, the Nats 4.