Nats and Cubs trade early runs (Werth wins it again in 12th)

The Cubs raced out quickly against Stephen Strasburg. Ben Zobrist slammed a solo homer on a 1-2 pitch over the right field fence to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead.

Strasburg then allowed a double to Jason Heyward on a drive that Ben Revere dove for but could not catch.

Kris Bryant was called out on strikes. With Anthony Rizzo at the plate, Wilson Ramos caught Heyward attempting to steal third. Strasburg then struck out Rizzo.

The Nationals counterpunched in the bottom of the first.

Ben Revere led off with an opposite field single. He stole third. With two outs and Daniel Murphy at the plate, Cubs starter Jason Hammel uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Revere to score, tying the game 1-1.

Murphy doubled over the head of center fielder Albert Almora, Jr., but Ryan Zimmerman struck out to end the frame.

After one inning, the Nationals and the Cubs are tied 1-1.

Update: Strasburg has allowed a couple of more hits, but no damage through four innings. In the fourth, he hit Kris Bryant with a pitch. But then struck out the side, getting Anthony Rizzo, Miguel Montero and Albert Almora, Jr., swinging.

Wilson Ramos got a single in the second, but the Nats havent been able to generate anything significant against Hammel since the first inning. He has retired nine consecutive batters.

Through four innings, the Nationals and Cubs are even 1-1.

Update II: Strasburg finishes seven innings, allowing one run on six hits, with one walk and eight strikeouts. He threw 105 pitches, 67 for strikes. Hammel also went seven innings, allowing one run on five hits with no walks and four strikeouts. He fired only 84 pitches, 64 for strikes.

Update III: Stephen Drew with a pinch-hit solo homer in the eighth off of Cubs reliever Pedro Strop. The Nationals lead 2-1. It was the ninth pinch-hit homer of the season by the Nats, a new club record. It was the fifth pinch-hit homer by Drew in his career, third one this season.

Update IV: Matt Belisle and Oliver Perez could not hold the Nats lead in the ninth. Kris Bryant doubled off of Belisle.

Rizzo then slammed a two-run shot off of Perez, and the Cubs grabbed the lead back, 3-2.

Update V: Facing Hector Rondon in the ninth, Bryce Harper walked and reached second. Murphy grounded out to the pitcher and Ryan Zimmerman struck out.

But Ramos singled to left center to score Harper and the game is tied again, 3-3.

Anthony Rendon struck out on three called strikes. Rendon did not love the calls by Bob Davidson.

We head to extras in D.C., tied 3-3.

Update VI: Michael A. Taylor walked with one out in the 10th against Cubs reliever Justin Grimm. Pinch-hitter Clint Robinson faced reliever Travis Wood, but grounded into a double play. After 10 in D.C., still tied at 3-3.

Update VII: With two men on and one away in the 11th facing Trevor Cahill, Zimmerman struckout. On a full count, Ramos grounded out to short. We head to the 12th.

Update VIII: In the bottom of the 12th, Rendon was called out on strikes again. He then was thrown out of the game by Davidson. Manager Dusty Baker came out to argue the call. It was the first ejection of Rendon's career.

Taylor delivered a one-out RBI single to tie the game at 4-4.

Werth wins it in walk-off fashion on a run-scoring single to right, Nats win 5-4 in 12. Another stunning come back win for the Nationals. Second time Werth has done it in a matter of four days.