Soriano ends homer drought, hitting 3-run, go-ahead blast to propel Cubs past reeling Nats 6-5

Soriano ends homer drought in Cubs’ 6-5 victory

WASHINGTON — Alfonso Soriano hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth, connecting for the first time in almost six weeks, and the Chicago Cubs held on for a 6-5 victory over the Washington Nationals on Saturday night.

Soriano sent a first-pitch slider from rookie right-hander Jordan Zimmermann over the wall in right-center, erasing a 4-2 Washington lead. It was the 15th homer — and first since June 7, a span of 121 at-bats — for Soriano, who missed Friday night’s game with a swollen right pinkie finger.

Fill-in starter Randy Wells (5-4) worked five innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out one. Wells started in place of Ted Lilly, who was scratched with sore left knee.

Ryan Zimmerman had two RBIs for Washington, which fell to 0-3 under interim manager Jim Riggleman, who took over when Manny Acta was fired Monday. The Nationals, who couldn’t protect a 4-0 lead, have lost four straight and nine of 10.

Mike Fontenot also homered and Ryan Theriot drove in two runs for the Cubs, who have won three in a row.

Carlos Marmol escaped a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the seventh and Kevin Gregg got Josh Willingham to ground sharply to third with the bases full to end the eighth. Gregg got five outs for his 18th save in 21 chances.

The Nationals took a quick 2-0 lead off Wells in the first. Nyjer Morgan led off with a double, moved to third on Nick Johnson’s single and scored Zimmerman’s sacrifice fly. Johnson stole second and scored when Adam Dunn doubled to left-center.

RBI singles by Morgan and Johnson made it 4-0 in the second. Wil Nieves singled to second with one down, went to second on Zimmermann’s sacrifice bunt and scored on Morgan’s single to center. Morgan advanced to second on the throw home and came home on Johnson’s hit up the middle.

Theriot’s two-run triple cut the lead to 4-2 in the third. Koyie Hill led off with a double, Kosuke Fukudome walked after a Wells sacrifice and Theriot tripled off the wall in right-center.

In the Cubs sixth, Derrek Lee led off with a double, Aramis Ramirez reached on second baseman Willie Harris’ error and, one out later, Soriano homered.

Zimmermann (3-5) lasted 5 1-3 innings, allowing five runs — four earned — on six hits. He walked one and matched a career high with eight strikeouts.

Fontenot homered off Jason Bergmann in the eighth. Zimmerman’s sacrifice fly got Washington within 6-5 in the eighth.

NOTES: Instead of starting Monday against the Mets, Nationals LHP Scott Olsen will have his back tightness examined by Dr. James Andrews. Acting general manager Mike Rizzo said Washington would recall a pitcher from Triple-A Syracuse to make the start. … Cubs RHP Ryan Dempster, on the 15-day disabled list since July 7 (fractured toe), threw a bullpen session Saturday and “felt OK,” manager Lou Piniella said. … Willingham was twice hit by pitches and has been plunked a team-high 10 times this year.

(This version CORRECTS Cubs 6, Nationals 5. SUBS 2nd graf to correct left-hander to right-hander)