WASHINGTON _ After allowing five earned runs in his first 38 2/3 innings this season, Cubs left-hander Jon Lester's mastery ended quickly Saturday night.
Lester was tagged for five runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Nationals, who held on for a 5-2 victory at Nationals Park.
The Cubs, however, played the game under protest. With one out in the ninth, manager Joe Maddon contended that Nationals closer Sean Doolittle tapped his right foot before picking it up and throwing a pitch. Cubs reliever Carl Edwards Jr. was informed during the first week of the season that this move was illegal after employing it in spring training.
Lester, who hadn't allowed an earned run since April 25 against the Dodgers, gave up a home run to Brian Dozier to lead off the second. In the third, the first six batters reached base, with Juan Soto capping the three-run Nationals rally with a two-run double.
Lester was nearly lifted for a pinch-hitter in the fifth but stayed in the game until he allowed an RBI single to Soto and was replaced by Carl Edwards Jr. Lester allowed a season-high 10 hits, and this marked his shortest outing since he pitched two-plus innings April 8 against the Pirates before exiting with a strained left hamstring.
Lester's ERA swelled from 1.16 to 2.09.
Meanwhile, Nationals righty Stephen Strasburg pitched eight innings of four-hit ball. Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez were a combined 0 for 9 against Strasburg. Baez grounded to third twice and struck out as his career-best hitting streak ended at 15 consecutive games.
Strasburg retired the first nine batters before Kyle Schwarber led off the fourth with a single.
The Cubs failed to maximize a rally in the fifth. With runners at first and second, Nationals catcher Yan Gomes was charged with a passed ball, and Strasburg followed with a wild pitch to score Jason Heyward.
Strasburg's errant pitch caromed near the third-base dugout, tempting Addison Russell to try to score from second. But Russell was thrown out at the plate for the final out.
David Bote, who was at the plate when Russell was nailed, led off the sixth with a home run. Bote's homer snapped a 5-for-35 slump that included 15 strikeouts.
