CHICAGO - Nate Schierholtz thought he could put together a nice season if he found the right place to go when he was a free agent last winter. He ended up in Chicago, and its working out in a big way. Schierholtz homered twice and drove in a career-high six runs, powering Jeff Samardzija and the Cubs to an 11-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Monday night. "Im just trying to put up good at-bats and help the team out," Schierholtz said. "Just try not to do too much. Just trying to keep it simple and go out there and have fun." Schierholtz connected for a three-run shot in the first and a two-run drive in the seventh in his fourth career multihomer game. He also had an RBI double in the third in Chicagos highest-scoring game since a 14-6 victory over Houston on June 23. He went 3 for 4 while moving into a tie with Anthony Rizzo for the team lead with 18 homers. He also is second only to Rizzo with 58 RBIs. Not bad for a journeyman outfielder who was non-tendered by Philadelphia after last season and agreed to a one-year deal with Chicago in late December. Id like to be part of the future here," said Schierholtz, who feared he might be traded before last months non-waiver deadline. "Im happy Im not out of here." Donnie Murphy added a pair of solo homers and Dioner Navarro had a three-run shot for the Cubs, who managed just 12 runs total in their previous eight home games. It was more than enough for Samardzija (7-11), who pitched a six-hitter for his second complete game of the season and No. 3 for his career. He struck out five and walked none in his first victory in a month. "Regardless of what I did out there, youve got to tip your hat to the offence," Samardzija said. "Puts you in the zone. Allows you to relax and throw your pitches. They were great out there." Wilson Ramos hit his eighth homer in the seventh, but that was it for Washington. Bryce Harper finished with two hits. Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann (14-7) allowed a season-high eight runs in five innings in his first loss since July 26 against the New York Mets. The All-Star was 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA in his previous three starts. "My stuffs been good all year," he said. "Fastballs been good, slider was good tonight. Just the location was off tonight and its something Ive got to work on." The three home runs matched a season high for Zimmermann, who is tied with St. Louis ace Adam Wainwright for the NL lead with 14 wins. "Hes a tremendous pitcher, hes going to be fine," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. "This was not good, obviously. But I think he came through it all right." The Nationals acquired outfielder David DeJesus in a pregame trade with the Cubs, but their fringe playoff hopes took a hit with their third loss in four games. They trail NL East-leading Atlanta by 16 games, but the most important number at this point is their 10 1/2-game deficit compared to Cincinnati in the race for the second NL wild-card slot. The acquisition of DeJesus gives Washington another veteran left-handed bat for their bench. The 33-year-old DeJesus hit .250 with six homers and 27 RBIs in 84 games with the Cubs, who began the day in last in the NL Central. DeJesus hit for Ryan Zimmerman in the eighth and received a warm ovation from the crowd of 31,290 on a beautiful night in Chicago. He popped out to shortstop and remained in the game to play centre field. "Im going to give it my all," said DeJesus, who merely had to move over to the visitors clubhouse at Wrigley Field to join to his new team. "Try and be a guy out there as a leader and a guy that young guys can learn from." The Cubs get a player to be named in the trade, but they also save about $2.5 million, including a $1.5 million buyout for a 2014 team option worth $6.5 million. General manager Jed Hoyer said the money was a "strong consideration." "We really like David a lot," Hoyer said. "Ive told his agent and Theo told David directly, wed be willing to talk to him about bringing him back at some point. Hes a good mentor for our younger guys." NOTES: Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo (illness) got the day off. Manager Dale Sveum said he hopes he will be ready for Tuesday nights game. ... The Cubs activated OF Brian Bogusevic (strained left hamstring) from the 15-day disabled list to take DeJesus roster spot, and general manager Jed Hoyer said OF Ryan Sweeney (broken left rib) likely will begin a rehab stint next week. ... The Nationals released OF Roger Bernardina to make room on their roster. Bernardina hit .178 in 85 games with Washington. ... Nationals RHP Dan Haren (7-11, 4.79 ERA) faces Cubs LHP Chris Rusin (2-2, 3.06 ERA) in the second game of the series. Terry McLaurin Jersey .com) - Fair Grounds commences its road to the Kentucky Derby Saturday with the 71st running of the $200,000 Lecomte Stakes. Bryce Love Womens Jersey . The Calgary Stampeders running back received the West Division nomination for the CFLs top individual award Thursday in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada and leagues eight head coaches. http://www.redskinsrookiestore.com/Redsk...Riggins-Jersey/. A police inspector told The Associated Press the crane operator is not yet suspected of any wrongdoing but is considered a key witness to the accident at the Arena Corinthians. John Riggins Womens Jersey . His stated reason for abruptly resigning as head coach of Canadas Olympic womens hockey team was he felt there were doubts about his ability to coach the team to Olympic gold in February. Dexter Manley Womens Jersey . Fans in the Jets viewing region can watch the game on TSN Jets at 5:30pm ct and listeners can tune in to TSN Radio 1290 Winnipeg. WASHINGTON -- Even with the teams "X-factor" suspended, the Washington Wizards had a No. 42 sitting next to the bench. The 57-year-old with greying hair couldnt box out or grab a rebound, but owner Ted Leonsis waved his red towel and egged on a cheering crowd that chanted "Free Nene!" The Wizards did just fine without the suspended Brazilian forward. They scored the first 14 points and beat the Chicago Bulls 98-89 on Sunday to take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference series. "I thought it was pretty hilarious that Ted had Nenes jersey on," Wizards guard Bradley Beal said. "It kind of threw me off for a minute, but then I looked and seen it was Ted." Nene or not, the Wizards did what theyve done all series: Take a quick lead and force the Bulls to use up energy trying to catch up. It was 15-8 in Game 3, 29-12 in Game 2, 19-13 in Game 1. Washington, seeking to win a playoff series for only the third time since the 1970s, can finish off the Bulls on the road in Game 5 on Tuesday night. "We keep seeing this same kind of start for the last couple of games, and its frustrating," said Taj Gibson, who came off the bench to lead the Bulls with a career-high 32 points. "It seems like at times we get overhyped with just thinking were going to be OK, were just that good. But in this league its not about how talented you are, its about how hard you work and how much effort you put when you start the game off, and I dont think we did that." Nene was suspended for the game after grabbing Jimmy Butlers head in the fourth quarter of the Wizards Game 3 loss. Wall called Nene the "X-factor" this week, and for good reason: Since the March 2012 trade that brought Nene to D.C., Washington is 65-63 when he plays and 21-41 when he doesnt. That said, the club did hold its own by winning 12 of 21 when Nene went down with a knee injury late in the regular season, an absence coach Randy Wittman said might have been a "blessing in disguise" that helped prepare them for Sunday. "I saw our guys bond together," Wittman said. "Like, Thats OK, all right. Big fellows not going to be here, but thats OK. And we were in tune right froom the start.dddddddddddd" Trevor Ariza, getting some of the early looks that might have gone to Nene, scored a career playoff-high 30 points, making 6 of 10 3-pointers. Beal had 18 points, and John Wall added 15 points and 10 assists for the Wizards, who forced 16 turnovers and committed only six. "I think were a smart enough group to understand that when one of your pieces goes down, you have to find ways and will to win," Ariza said. "Tonight was my night to take on the scoring load." Gibson went 13 for 16 from the field for Chicago, but his teammates combined to go 22 for 62. He made more field goals in the first half (8) than the rest of the Bulls combined (7). Mike Dunleavy, who scored 35 points in Game 3, scored only six. Dunleavy jammed his left thumb attempting to take a charge in the fourth quarter. The thumb was swollen and was X-rayed after the game, but he said he didnt think it was broken. "It probably doesnt really matter," he said. "Its my left hand and its not going to make a difference for me." Chicagos Kirk Hinrich committed four turnovers, and NBA Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah had a quiet 10 points and 15 rebounds against the Nene-less frontcourt. Washington stormed to a 14-0 lead, with Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau calling a timeout after each Wizards "touchdown." "Very disappointing to get in a hole like that," Thibodeau said. "I put that on me, and Ive got to get it right. ... Its got to change or our season will be over." Trevor Booker started in Nenes spot and had nine rebounds and three blocks. Beal called Booker "a huge X-factor" -- apparently the Wizards are cornering the market on that particular commodity. "Just because they didnt have Nene," Gibson said, "they just came out and played even harder." Notes: Arizas six 3-pointers tied a Wizards playoff record. ... Wittman, who played during the Detroit Pistons "Bad Boys" era, was asked to compare todays game to those rough-and-tumble days. "Not even close," Wittman said. "Its like sixth-grade flag football compared to NFL tackle football." ' ' '