Nationals beat Cubs, Waipahu's Williams

Associated Press

CHICAGO — At 18 games above .500, the Washington Nationals have already made a statement: they're going to be a major factor all season in the NL East.

"We're in a tough division and a lot of people don't believe we're for real," Jose Guillen said yesterday after homering in a 4-2 win over the Chicago Cubs, Washington's fifth straight win.

"I think people are going to have to start believing. We have good pitching and good players," Guillen added.

Guillen hit his 17th homer in the first off Waipahu High alum Jerome Williams (1-3), a high fly ball that just carried over the left field fence with the wind blowing in at 10 mph.

Guillen also started a two-run fourth with a leadoff single, moved to second as Vinny Castilla walked, to third on a sacrifice and scored on Wil Cordero's sacrifice fly. Gary Bennett then delivered a two-out RBI single to put Washington up 3-0.

Junior Spivey's sacrifice fly made it 4-0 in the fifth.

Williams lasted seven innings, giving up five hits and four runs.

Nationals starter Tony Armas (4-4), who missed the first five weeks this season with a groin pull, got his first road win as a starter in more than two years, lasting five innings plus and giving up two runs and seven hits.

Chad Cordero pitched a perfect ninth for his major league-leading 29th save. He's converted 26 straight opportunities.