Cubs hold on for win after Nationals rally

Wade Davis struck out big league batting leader Ryan Zimmerman with runners on second and third to blunt Washington’s ninth-inning rally, and the Chicago Cubs held on for a 5-4 win Monday.

In jeopardy of being shut out for the first time this season, the NL East-leading Nationals scored four times in the ninth. Their comeback began against Hector Rondon and continued when Davis became the Cubs’ eighth pitcher of the game.

With Washington down, 5-3, Bryce Harper’s single loaded the bases with two outs. Davis threw a wild pitch that scored a run before striking out a swinging Zimmerman, who’s hitting .344. The final pitch bounced, and catcher Willson Contreras zipped a low throw to first baseman Anthony Rizzo to close out the victory. INDIANS 15, RANGERS 9 >> Francisco Lindor, Lonnie Chisenhall and Carlos Santana each had three RBI to help Cleveland rally from a seven-run deficit and beat Texas after Manager Terry Francona left the game because he wasn’t feeling well. The Indians came back after trailing, 9-2, in the fourth inning to avoid their first four-game losing streak since 2015.

RED SOX 4, TWINS 1 >> Chris Sale pitched 6 1/3 overpowering innings with nine strikeouts, Mitch Moreland hit a solo homer for the third straight game and Boston beat Minnesota in a matchup of two of the AL’s top teams. DIAMONDBACKS 6, PHILLIES 1 >> Zack Greinke pitched five effective innings after a shaky start, Daniel Descalso had three RBI, and Arizona rolled.