Busch's big day propels Cubs past Nationals 8-3

Michael Busch hit his ninth homer of the season, drove in three runs and finished a double shy of the cycle to help the Chicago Cubs to a 8-3 victory over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.

Nico Hoerner singled in two runs to complete a four-run fifth inning that put Chicago up 7-3. Dansby Swanson added a pair of sacrifice flies as the Cubs won their third straight and 15th out of 19.

Right-hander Cade Horton (3-0) allowed three runs over 5 1/3 innings to start Chicago’s nine-game road trip.

Busch tripled and singled off Trevor Williams (3-6), forced across a run on a bases-loaded walk against Andrew Chafin in the fifth, then hit a seventh-inning solo shot off Zach Brzykcy.

Both teams start left-handers looking to string together strong performances on Wednesday; Chicago’s Matthew Boyd (5-2, 3.08 ERA) and Washington’s MacKenzie Gore (2-5, 3.16).



(AP Photo Terrance Williams)