Ruiz and Candelario power the Nationals to a 7-5 victory over the Cubs

CHICAGO — Keibert Ruiz hit a two-run homer and went 3 for 3 with a double to lead the Washington Nationals past the Chicago Cubs 7-5 on Monday night.

Jeimer Candelario also launched a two-run drive in his return to the lineup, and Stone Garrett doubled twice among his three hits. Luis Garcia added two RBIs for last-place Washington.

Ruiz homered for the second straight game and has seven hits in his last 14 at-bats. The 24-year-old Venezuelan catcher is up to 11 homers, and his 35 RBIs are one short of his total from last year.

Ruiz’s batting average is still just .235, but Nationals manager Dave Martinez sees him evolving as a hitter.

“He’s got unbelievable bat-to-ball skills,” Martinez said. “He’s just got to focus on hitting the balls in the zone. When he does that, he’s a hard out.”

Ruiz hopes to keep rolling.

“I know I’ve been struggling at (some) moments, but in those moments I’m hitting the ball good, too,” Ruiz said. “I’ve just got to keep going and don’t put my head down.”

Ian Happ and Patrick Wisdom each had a two-run homer for the Cubs, who have lost three of four. Cody Bellinger got two hits and Christopher Morel contributed an RBI single.

MacKenzie Gore (5-7) went 6 1/3 innings to win for only the second time since April. The left-hander allowed five runs on five hits while striking out six and walking two.

“You always want to get into the seventh, but I made some bad pitches,” Gore said. “That’s frustrating. I’ve done that too much.”

Kyle Finnegan got four outs for his 12th save and first since May 27. He worked around a single and struck out the side in the ninth even though the righty said his “arm was dragging” a bit.