Nationals Top Cubs 10-4 in Season Opener

The Washington Nationals secured a 10-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field, claiming the opening game of the season and providing new manager Blake Butera with his first win in charge.

The Nationals, who finished last season with a 66-96 record in their sixth consecutive losing campaign, erupted for six runs in the fourth inning to break open a close game. Joey Wiemer, making his debut after signing with Washington in the offseason, went 3-for-3 and started the scoring with a solo home run to left field off Cubs starter Matthew Boyd in the second. CJ Abrams followed with a two-RBI single during the fourth-inning rally, which featured hits from five different players and culminated in Jacob Young's two-run homer to right against reliever Ben Brown. Brady House added insurance with a two-run homer in the ninth off Jacob Webb, while Andrés Chaparro contributed two hits and scored a run to support Washington's 11-hit attack.

The Cubs grabbed an early 2-1 lead in the third against Nationals starter Cade Cavalli, who allowed three runs, two earned, three hits, three walks and struck five over 3 1/3 innings. Michael Busch tied the score with an RBI...