Swanson homers, Smyly sharp as Cubs beat Nationals 5-1

WASHINGTON — Dansby Swanson hit a two-run homer and Drew Smyly delivered seven strong innings because the Chicago Cubs bounced again from a tough collection at Miami to beat the Washington Nationals 5-1 on Monday evening.

Swanson went 3-for-5, together with a double and his second homer of the season. The 389-foot blast to left-center within the fifth inning made it 4-1 – a welcome benefit for the Cubs, who snapped a three-game skid. All these losses to the Marlins had been by one run.

Smyly (3-1) allowed a homer by Lane Thomas within the second inning however cruised from there, throwing simply 84 pitches. The left-hander gave up six hits and walked none in his fifth straight begin permitting two runs or fewer.

MacKenzie Gore (3-2) allowed a season-high 4 runs over four-plus innings on seven hits – together with three doubles and Swanson’s homer. Seiya Suzuki had an RBI single within the first for Chicago, and Trey Mancini drove in Suzuki with a double.

Ian Happ homered within the ninth for Chicago off Cory Abbott.

Dominic Smith had three of Washington’s six hits. The Nationals, final within the NL East, have misplaced 4 of 5.

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