Nationals 4, Cubs 2

WP: Tony Armas Jr. (4-4)
LP: Jerome Williams (1-3)
S: Chad Cordero (29)

Another tight game, another quality starting pitching performance, another solid game at the plate for Jose Guillen, another scoreless ninth for Chad Cordero, and another win for the Nationals.

Games are beginning to look almost scripted for Washington's new baseball team, which is fine because there have been many happy endings (49 wins, as opposed to only 31 losses). The Nats have now won five straight.

Tony Armas Jr. had a good outing, going five-plus innings and giving up two runs on seven hits before yielding to the bullpen, which again shut down the opponent's offense. Gary Majewski, Joey Eischen, Hector Carrasco and Chad Cordero each pitched a scoreless inning to hold the lead. It was Cordero's 29th save, which is the most in the Majors.

Jose Guillen hit another first inning homer (his second in as many games). He now has 17 home runs on the year.

Wil Cordero and Junior Spivey both hit sacrifice flies and Gary Bennett plated a run with a single for the Nationals' other three runs.

The Braves lost to Philadelphia, 6-3, so the Nationals now lead the NL East by 5.5 games.