Kris Bryant helped off as Cubs stumble

Stephen Strasburg and the Washington Nationals put a perfect finish on another rough day for the sputtering Chicago Cubs.

Strasburg struck out 13 in seven innings, Bryce Harper had two doubles and two RBI, and the host Nationals beat the Cubs 8-4 on Wednesday night.

Anthony Rendon and Matt Wieters hit back-to-back homers off John Lackey during Washington's four-run second inning. After the Cubs pulled within three at 6-3, Daniel Murphy went deep in the fifth.

The Cubs lost for the fourth time in six games to drop back to .500 at 39-39. They cut veteran catcher Miguel Montero after he criticized pitcher Jake Arrieta for his role in the Nationals' seven steals Tuesday night, and then reigning NL MVP Kris Bryant departed with a right ankle sprain.

"Things happen. You have to fix them when things happen," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "You don't cry. Of course suboptimal, no question."

Bryant awkwardly clipped third base while catching a foul pop off the bat of Wieters in the sixth. He walked around gingerly before being helped off the field. An X-ray was negative and Bryant is expected to miss at least the next two games, according to Maddon.

"We have a game to win tomorrow," Maddon said.

Cincinnati 4, Milwaukee 3: Scooter Gennett hit a two-run homer, Billy Hamilton scored the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning and the host Reds beat the Brewers, who lost starter Chase Anderson to a strained oblique.

San Francisco 5, Colorado 3: Jae-Gyun Hwang homered in his major league debut, a tiebreaking drive in the sixth inning that led the host Giants to a sweep.

New York 8, Miami 0: Steven Matz pitched seven innings and two relievers completed a seven-hitter for the visiting Mets.

St. Louis 4, Arizona 3: Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and catcher Jeff Mathis were ejected, leaving Ron Gardenhire and Chris Herrmann to replace them in Phoenix.

San Diego 7, Atlanta 4: The host Padres scored six runs in four innings vs. Bartolo Colon.

Kansas City 8, Detroit 2: Salvador Perez and Mike Moustakas hit consecutive homers during a four-run fourth, Ian Kennedy pitched seven innings and the Royals beat the host Tigers.

Houston 11, Oakland 8: Josh Reddick and George Springer had three hits each and combined for five RBI, and the host Astros scored five runs in the third inning vs. the Athletics.

New York 12, Chicago 3: Miguel Andujar went 3-for-4 and set a Yankees record with four RBI in his major league debut, and Aaron Judge added his major league-leading 27th homer for the visiting Yankees.

Toronto 4, Baltimore 0: Marcus Stroman pitched five-hit ball into the eighth inning and Jose Bautista and Justin Smoak homered for the host Blue Jays.

Philadelphia 5, Seattle 4: The visiting Phillies rallied with two ninth-inning runs.

• Mariners lefthander Drew Smyly will miss the season, needing Tommy John elbow surgery after being diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament.

• Ken Pagan, who threw a beer can at an Orioles outfielder during a playoff game at Toronto last year, was sentenced to community service.