Nationals put on home run show to rout Cubs

The Washington Nationals blasted six home runs for the second successive game to punish the Chicago Cubs 9-1 on Wednesday and make it an easy outing for Major League-leading pitcher Gio Gonzalez. The red-hot Nationals put on another home run derby display for their home crowd, as they did in Tuesday’s 11-5 rout of the Cubs, this time led by rookie Bryce Harper who smashed two. Adam LaRoche, who had two home runs on Tuesday, hit his 28th of the season in the third inning where Washington scored four runs to grab a 5-0 lead. That was more than enough support for Gonzalez who struck out nine batters in seven innings and cruised to his 18th victory of the season, tying him with the New York Mets’ R.A. Dickey for the most in the majors. From gulf times.