Nats' Werth scores on WP, tops Cubs

Jayson Werth turned boos to cheers by scoring the winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 10th inning, and the host Washington Nationals snagged another one-run victory with a 5-4 win over the Chicago Cubs Monday.

Werth opened the inning by drawing a walk off Marcos Mateo (1-2), then advanced on a sacrifice by pinch-hitting pitcher Livan Hernandez. Mateo was replaced by Carlos Marmol, and Werth stole third on Marmol's first pitch to Ivan Rodriguez.

"There was no sign for that," Washington manager Davey Johnson said. "It was just his read -- and boom -- he's over there. That's a winning attitude."

Then Marmol uncorked a 2-and-2 pitch that sailed way outside to Rodriguez. Werth scored and was mobbed by his teammates, a welcome celebration for a slugger who has struggled in his first season in Washington.

"I just felt like it was time to make something happen . . . It's a funny game. You steal third and score the winning run. If he inside-moved me [for a pickoff] right there, I'm probably the goat."

Nats promote top pick

Bryce Harper's impressive stats earned the teenager a Fourth of July promotion, moving on to Double-A Harrisburg as part of the Nationals' measured approach with last year's No. 1 overall draft pick. Harper had two singles and a walk in four plate appearances in Harrisburg's 8-1 home victory over Erie. The 18-year-old outfielder was a hitting sensation at low Class A Hagerstown, ranking among league leaders with a .318 average along with 14 home runs, 46 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. But the Nationals are sticking to their plan not to have Harper make his big-league debut this year.

-- AP