Cubs’ Alex Bregman continues second-half surge with first career 3-homer game

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch catches the ball for an out before Washington Nationals' Michael Busch (12) can reach first base during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)(AP Photo/John McDonnell/John McDonnell) Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch catches the ball for an out before Washington Nationals' Michael Busch (12) can reach first base during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)(AP Photo/John McDonnell/John McDonnell) WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Bregman hit three homers in a game for the first time and drove in a career-high seven runs as the Chicago Cubs routed the Washington Nationals 12-6 on Wednesday night.

Dansby Swanson also went deep for Chicago, which pulled within three games of NL Central-leading Milwaukee. The Cubs have won eight of nine and are a season-high 21 games over .500 at 71-50. Abimelec Ortiz and José Tena homered, and Daylen Lile had three RBIs for Washington.

In the fifth, Bregman ripped a sweeper from Jake Bird into the visitors’ bullpen in left for a three-run shot to cap the Cubs’ four-run inning. Swanson hit a go-ahead RBI double against Tom Cosgrove (0-2) in the sixth. Two batters later, Seiya Suzuki delivered a two-run single off Yovanny Cruz before Bregman pulled a two-run shot to left off the rookie to make it 9-4.

The three-time All-Star added a two-run drive off Trevor Williams into the Chicago bullpen in the eighth. Swanson was the last Cub with three homers in a game, doing so July 1 against San Diego. It was Bregman’s ninth multi-homer game and first since March 29, when he did it at home against the Nationals.

The 32-year-old has 16 homers in his first season with Chicago. Cubs starter David Peterson (7-7) allowed four runs — three earned — while striking out six over five innings. Peterson improved to 9-2 with a 3.23 ERA in 17 appearances against Washington.

He has never allowed a home run in 86 1/3 innings against the Nationals. Javier Assad pitched four innings for his second save. Washington left-hander Jackson Kent allowed three runs on three hits and five walks over four-plus innings in his major league debut.