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WASHINGTON -- After Jordan Zimmermann put the Washington Nationals in position to win on the mound, Denard Spans legs and Ryan Zimmermans bat made sure they beat the Chicago Cubs. Zimmermans eighth inning single drove in Span for the go-ahead run as the surging Nationals capped a strong weekend with a 2-1 win over the Cubs on Sunday. The expected pitchers duel took place as Zimmermann outdueled Jake Arrieta over six innings and left with a 1-0 lead. "The starter for them today was as advertised, tough," Zimmerman said of Arrieta. "The way Jordan pitched, that was a game we needed to win." The Cubs tied it in the seventh on Starlin Castros sacrifice fly against Drew Storen. Spans hustle turned a soft hit to right field off Pedro Strop (1-4) into a double leading off the eighth. The Cubs challenged the play, but replay showed that the sliding Span avoided the tag. "The fact that he broke out of the box hard and thought two (bases) from the beginning of it was key for us," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. Two outs later, the Cubs intentionally walked Adam LaRoche to bring up Zimmerman, who ripped a single to left to score Span from second. Tyler Clippard (6-2) worked out of trouble in the eighth inning. Rafael Soriano pitched the ninth and earned his 21st save for the Nationals, who have won seven of eight. Washington moved within one-half game of NL East-leading Atlanta. The Nationals took two of three games in the series, including 13-0 on Saturday to break Chicagos four-game winning streak. Zimmermann allowed seven hits with one walk and struck out five. He has given up two earned runs or fewer in seven straight starts. The right-hander is 3-2 with a 1.26 ERA in that span. "I think he found his slider," Williams said. "Gives him another weapon." The Cubs had at least one hit in each of the first six innings, but couldnt generate a clutch one versus Zimmermann. Chicago left 12 runners on base and went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position. "I fell behind hitters and wasnt able to throw first-pitch strikes," Zimmermann said. "Guys got on base, and I had to work out of a few jams. Other than that I threw the ball well." Following this weekends blockbuster trade that sent starters Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to the Oakland As, Arrieta inherited the No. 1 role in the Cubs rotation. He has pitched to that level lately. The righty won his four previous starts and flirted with no-hitters in his last two. Arrieta carried a perfect game into the seventh inning on June 24 against Cincinnati and went 7 2-3 innings without allowing a hit at Boston on June 30. Washington ended such hopes immediately. Span hit a fly ball that sailed over the outfielders for a double leading off the first. One out later he scored on Jayson Werths groundout for a 1-0 lead. Arrieta allowed four hits and one run over six innings with three walks and five strikeouts. He gave up two singles to open the fifth, but escaped the jam. Zimmermann struck out while attempting to bunt the runner over. "It was a dogfight," Arrieta said. "I really had to grind it out there. I had guys on base. I had to make pitches in big situations. I was able to do that." Storen entered having allowed only three earned runs this season and only one in 17 appearances since May 17. The Cubs threatened in the eighth, putting runners at second and third with one out against Clippard, but didnt score. Pinch-hitter Wellington Castillo struck out looking, and Ryan Sweeney grounded out. Justin Ruggiano, Anthony Rizzo, and John Baker all had two hits for the Cubs. NOTES: The Cubs recalled RHP Blake Parker from Triple-A Iowa before the game. Parker takes the roster spot created by the trade with Oakland. ... Chicago hasnt announced who will replace Samardzija and Hammel when their rotation spots come up Wednesday and Thursday. Edwin Jackson (5-8, 4.99) will open the five-game series at Cincinnati on Monday against fellow RHP Mike Leake (6-7, 3.47). ... Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg (7-6, 3.53) will face RHP Chris Tillman (7-4, 4.21) on Monday when Baltimore visits Washington. Malik Jackson Jersey . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. The latest from Bob As tweeted by TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie on Monday, the Columbus Blue Jackets need to resolve their offseason plans with forward R. Marcell Dareus Jersey . The top-ranked Djokovic also beat Gael Monfils and then routed Roger Federer en route to his first Abu Dhabi title. "Its always great to win a title. This is the best way to start the 2012 season," Djokovic said. http://www.thejaguarsfansshop.com/Jaguars-Ronnie-Harrison-Draft-Jersey/ . 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I said I could use it.My how far theyve come.On the eve of Clevelands season opener — James official return to the Cavs — both Gilbert and the superstar addressed their relationship, which became fractured four years ago. When James announced he was leaving for Miami in 2010, Gilbert publicly degraded him in a scathing letter to Cavs fans.Gilbert called James cowardly and disloyal and predicted the Cavs would win an NBA championship before the self-declared former king. It was thought their relationship couldnt be fixed, but Gilbert said that was never the case and the two met in Miami in July to work through their differences.That paved the way for James to re-sign with the Cavs.Gilbert said time has healed things and he and James are united.Obviously there are a lot of fireworks at that time and a lot of emotions flying all over the place, he said. So you sort of get back to business. You dont really think too much about whats going on. Its been four years. As far as it goes right now, its great.James said he and his boss are connected again.I think its really good, James said. We had one bad moment, and it just overshadowed all the great times we had together, and now were back together. We both have something in common: to bring a championship back to this city, and thats what it comes down to.James said he andd Gilbert have the opportunity and obligation to represent the franchise the right way.ddddddddddddGilbert said Clevelands struggles over the past four years were payment for what the city and his franchise are experiencing now. The Cavs are favoured to win the NBA title. However, Gilbert was careful not make any proclamations about how far the thinks his team can go this season.Well, I learned my lessons on guarantees and predictions and stuff, so I dont do much of that anymore these days, Gilbert said. I do believe we put together a team and a coaching staff and a front office thats worked very hard certainly to put us in a position to compete at a high level. Thats why you play the games.The past four years were painful ones for the Cavs, whose biggest wins came in the draft lottery. Gilbert was asked if he felt he deserved James back.I dont know if deserve is a word that I sort of look at in this context, he said. No, unless youre really doing some significant harm to another human being, I dont think the bridge is ever burned. We had a night there where emotions were flying high on all sides. ... Things like that happen a lot in business where people have phone calls and heated exchanges, and people are writing each other emails and letters, and then the next day theyre eating lunch and doing business. Its not a be-all or end-all type of thing.Gilbert said the difference in the sports world is that the arguments become public knowledge.I think the franchise deserves what it has here, and I think LeBron deserves the city of Cleveland and the franchise, and all the perks that are around him, he said. Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Discount Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Baseball Jerseys Free Shipping Cheapest College Jerseys Sale Cheap Football Jerseys China Nike NFL Jerseys Canada Wholesale NHL Jerseys From China MLB Jerseys Outlet Canada Wholesale NBA Jerseys Canada Store Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap Authentic Jerseys Canada ' ' '