Die Macht » Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tam

CHICAGO -- Dan Haren showed speed isnt always the most important factor to having success on the mound. Despite throwing every pitch under 90 miles per hour, Haren allowed just five hits and one run in six strong innings to lead the Washington Nationals to a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. "In the beginning of the year, I was throwing harder and my stuff was nasty," Haren said, "but I was getting burned by the homers and the one mistake I would make would kill me." Since being activated from the disabled list on July 8, Haren (8-11) is 4-2 with a 2.20 earned run average in eight starts. "Its been unbelievable," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. "Hes been really pitching good. Hes shown hes a quality pitcher and hes bounced back and pitched great." Asked for his take on the secret to Harens success against the Cubs while topping out at 89 mph, Johnson said: "He locates, changes speeds, hits his spots. Velocity is way overrated." Ryan Zimmerman had two hits and drove in a run, and Bryce Harper also had two hits and scored a crucial ninth-inning run for Washington. Zimmerman had two doubles and could have had two more hits as he lined out to third base in the third inning to start a double play and hit a hard shot at the centre fielder in the seventh. Harper doubled leading off the ninth and scored on Ian Desmonds RBI single to right field. Denard Span, a late-inning defensive replacement, added a run-scoring single for the Nationals final run. Rafael Soriano gave up a leadoff homer to Donnie Murphy in the bottom of the ninth before getting the last three outs for his 32nd save in 38 chances. Cubs starter Chris Rusin (2-3) gave up two runs and 10 hits in 5 2-3 innings, managing to work out of jam after jam with minimal damage. "Just made a couple mistakes that cost me, but I was able to get out of jams, so I helped myself out there," he said. Last September, Rusin was roughed up for five runs on eight hits in one inning against the Nationals. "It was better than last year against these guys," Rusin said. "We didnt get the win. Thats the bad part about it. Just got to learn from a couple mistakes." The Cubs offence -- which scored just 12 runs in eight home games before an 11-run outburst on Monday -- went back into its Wrigley Field struggles. "It is what it is right now," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said. "We score on home runs. Today, both solo home runs." For Haren, the last week has been a whirlwind. He pitched six innings in a start against San Francisco last Thursday, and then made a relief appearance on Saturday, pitching one inning to earn the save in the Nats 15-inning win over Atlanta. There was some concern about how Haren would bounce back. "I felt fine physically, but warming up, it was just a little tougher to get loose," he said. "The first inning or two was a battle, but as the game progressed my stuff got better. "I didnt have my best stuff, especially in the beginning like I said. My cutter was real good. I worked that in on lefties a lot. I didnt throw quite as many splits and my fastball got better as the game went along." The Nationals took a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning as Zimmerman opened with a double, moved to third on Jayson Werths single and scored one out later on Tyler Moores run-scoring infield single. Washington went ahead in the top of the first. Ian Desmond reached on a fielders chose when the Cubs failed to turn a seemingly routine double play, and then scored on Zimmermans double to left field. The Cubs tied it in the bottom of the fourth on Brian Bogusevics first homer of the season, a two-out shot to right field that landed in the first row of the bleachers. NOTES: After the game, the Nationals optioned LHP Ian Krol to Class AAA Syracuse to make room for RHP Ross Ohlendorf. "Hes still learning up here," Johnson said of Krol, "but hes got a heck of a future." ... Cubs SS Starlin Castro batted eighth for the first time this season. He went 0 for 4 to extend his slump to 1 for 27. ... After being sent to the minors earlier in the season, Nationals reliever Drew Storen is back and throwing the ball more effectively, coming off three scoreless appearances in Atlanta during the weekend. ... The four-game series continues Wednesday night with the Ohlendorf (2-0) facing the Cubs Jake Arrieta (1-0). Cheap Braves Jerseys China .2 billion agreement with Rogers Communications for the leagues broadcast and multimedia rights. Cheap MLB Jerseys . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. http://www.cheapbravesjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-hank-aaron-jersey . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. Cheap Bob Uecker Jersey . 24 Baylor in a Big 12 clash between teams trending in opposite directions. Andrew Wiggins made 10-of-12 from the foul line and scored 17 for Kansas (14-4, 5-0 Big 12), which capped a stretch of four straight games against ranked opponents unscathed. Cheap Chipper Jones Jersey . LOUIS -- Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tampa Bays four goals, and the Lightning beat the St. DAYTON, Ohio -- Mark Alstork, who started the season averaging 32.7 points a game, had 23 points on Monday night as Wright State drubbed Division II Ohio Dominican 109-54 to open the Men Against Breast Cancer Classic.Alstork, who was 7 of 11 from the field, also dished out four assists. Grant Benzinger was 3 of 5 from beyond the arc for 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Steven Davis added 14 points and Mike La Tulip chipped in 13 as 11 players got on the scoreboard for Wrright State (3-1).dddddddddddd The Raiders bounced back after dropping their first game to Toledo on Saturday night.Wright State hit 32 of 57 (56.1%) from the floor while holding Ohio Dominican to 20-of-55 shooting. The Raiders also nailed 13 of 26 from beyond the arc and won the rebound battle 43-27.Sam Hickey led Ohio Dominican with 11 points. ' ' '