WASHINGTON - Jason Hammel picked up another victory for the Chicago Cubs, and that part of his Friday afternoon was very satisfying. Yohander Mendez Rangers Jersey . It was the length of his outing that frustrated the right-hander. Hammel pitched six-plus innings and Justin Ruggiano homered for the second straight game, leading the Cubs to a 7-2 victory over the Washington Nationals. Chicago was leading 4-1 when Hammel was pulled after Anthony Rendon hit his 92nd pitch for a leadoff double. "I would have liked to have stayed out there in the seventh," Hammel said. "I have no idea why I came out of the game. I honestly believe you learn how to pitch when you get to 100 pitches. If youre not allowed to reach that I think thats hurting you more than helping." Hammel has gone over 100 pitches in eight of his 17 starts, including his previous two outings. "All I can say is its frustrating, especially when you feel good," he said. "Quite honestly theres no reason for me to go back out there if Im just going to give up the runner and then (get) pulled." Manager Rick Renteria said of the move: "Go ahead and make a change there and not let him get into a situation." Neil Ramirez then struck out Ian Desmond before Wilson Ramos singled home Rendon to make it 4-2. Ramirez retired the next two batters to limit the damage. The Cubs broke it open in the ninth when Ruggiano singled in Darwin Barney and Starlin Castro added a two-run single. Ruggiano connected for a solo shot against Tanner Roark (7-6) in the third inning. He has seven RBIs in his last two games and is batting .444 (12 for 27) in his last seven games overall. "Hitters go through this every now and then," he said. "You get hot, seeing the ball well. Ive been doing some things mechanically to stay on top of what I want to do at the plate. Its good though, I dont want to lose it." Chris Coghlan had two hits and scored three times as the Cubs collected 14 hits in their fourth consecutive victory. Hammel was charged with two runs in his second consecutive victory against Washington. The 6-foot-6 right-hander allowed two runs in 6 1-3 innings in a 7-2 victory over Roark and the Nationals on June 27 in his previous start. Hammel, who also had an RBI single in his latest victory, improved to 8-0 with a 3.11 ERA in 10 career starts against Washington. The first two Nationals reached in the fifth, but Hammel recovered from a 3-0 count to fan Roark attempting to bunt. "That was huge," he said. "I couldnt find the strike zone. I was overthrowing." Denard Span then grounded into a fielders choice and Bryce Harper struck out. Jayson Werth homered in his second straight game and added a double for the Nationals, who had won five in a row. Roark was charged with four runs and nine hits in seven innings in his second straight loss after a personal four-game winning streak. "They did what they did last time — base-hit me," he said. "Got beat." NOTES: Werth is 6 for 10 with two homers, three doubles and six RBIs in his last three games. ... Chicagos Nate Schierholtz, running from first on a pitch in the fourth, took a step past second base on John Bakers fly out to centre. When he didnt retouch second on his way back to first, the Nationals appealed and Schierholtz was called out. . The last time starters with identical records and ERAs with at least 15 starts squared off was August 15, 1974, when Jim Kaat of the White Sox opposed Baltimores Mike Cuellar. Both pitchers then were 13-9 with a 3.54 ERA. Joey Gallo Jersey . Tepesch, back from the minor leagues, earned his first major league victory in more than 10 months and the Rangers edged the Seattle Mariners 4-3 on Wednesday. Taylor Guerrieri Jersey . He was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 5th. The 34-year-old Laval, Que. native has played six seasons with the Penguins. https://www.cheaprangersbaseball.com/2262h-wei-chieh-huang-jersey-rangers.html . Nine-year veteran Danny Granger did not make his debut with the Clippers because of a technicality on the teams active list, which is signed by coach Doc Rivers before every game and relayed to the officials. Grangers name was printed by hand by a member of the public relations staff under the heading: "Updated Roster Additions," but the number on the sheet was not circled along with the other active players by the required deadline of 6:30 p.SEATTLE -- Michael Saunders hit a two-run infield single in the seventh inning to lift the Seattle Mariners to a 3-1 win over the Houston Astros on Thursday night. With the game tied at 1, the bases loaded, two outs and a full count, Saunders hit a chopper to first and narrowly outraced pitcher Tony Sipp, who was covering the bag. The batters were running on the pitch, allowing two runs to score. The play was upheld after a brief replay review. Jose Altuve homered on the games first pitch for the Astros, who have lost three in a row. Dominic Leone (1-0) pitched 1 2-3 innings for his first major league win in 16 appearances, and Fernando Rodney pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save. Houston starter Jarred Cosart (3-4) had kept Seattles offence largely bottled up until the seventh inning. Dustin Ackley and Stefen Romero led off with singles and Cosart walked Nick Franklin to load the bases with no outs. Cosart struck out Mike Zunino before giving way to Sipp, who got pinch hitter Cole Gillespie to pop up before Saunders hit. Cosart gave up three runs on five hits and four walks over 6 1-3 innings. He struck out six. Seattle starter Roenis Elias pitched into the sixth inning, allowing three hits, with the oonly run coming on Altuves leadoff homer. Jeff Russell Jersey. Elias struck out six, walked four and pitched out of jams a couple times early -- the first two batters reached in the second and third innings -- before settling down. Altuve took Elias opening pitch deep into the visitors bullpen in right field for his second home run. It was Altuves third career leadoff homer and first this season. The Mariners scratched out a run in the bottom of the first. James Jones led off with a walk, advanced to third on Saunders single and scored on Robinson Canos sacrifice fly to centre. NOTES: Houston OF George Springer was held out of the lineup after injuring his hip while getting picked off in the ninth inning Wednesday. Astros manager Bo Porter said Springer could be back as soon as Friday. ... Seattle OF Logan Morrison (strained right hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Friday, and LHP James Paxton (strained back muscle) will make a rehab start with Tacoma on Saturday. ... The Mariners signed RHP Todd Coffey to a minor league contract. ... Seattle CF James Jones singled in the third inning to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. Jones has at least one hit in all 13 of his major league starts. ' ' '