Cubs jump on Scherzer with 4 HRs for win

CHICAGO — Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist smacked back-to-back home runs in the third inning, and Zobrist added a three-run shot in the fifth to power the Cubs to an 8-6 victory over the Nationals on Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field. The Cubs have outscored their opponents, 172-74, the best run differential in the Major Leagues.

It was the sixth career multihomer game for Zobrist. Tommy La Stella also hit a two-run homer in the second, and all four Cubs blasts came off the Nationals’ Max Scherzer, who had served up five in his six previous starts. Scherzer, who was coming off seven scoreless innings against the Cardinals on Sunday, was charged with a season-high seven runs.

The Cubs improved to 22-6 and are off to their best start since the team opened the 1907 season 23-5. Chicago has matched the 2003 Yankees (22-6) for the best start for any Major League team.

John Lackey gave up Anthony Rendon’s solo home run in the first, but he also struck out 11 over seven innings, including the 2,000th K of his career, and picked up the win.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Glovework: Lackey got some help on defense. Rendon was at first with one out in the fifth and Bryce Harper at the plate. Lackey struck out Harper, and catcher David Ross then fired to Rizzo at first base, who made the tag on Rendon for the double play. Cubs starting pitchers have made it through the fifth inning in the past 36 regular-season games dating back to Sept. 27, the team’s longest stretch …

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