Bryce Harper drives in three runs as Nationals defeat White Sox

CHICAGO — Bryce Harper made the most of his chances.

Harper drove in three runs, Anthony Rendon hit a home run and the Washington Nationals handed the White Sox their 19th loss in 25 games, winning, 10-5, on Tuesday night.

While the National League East-leading Nationals won for the sixth time in eight games, the White Sox continued their stunning decline. A team that got off to a 23-10 start and spent 47 days in first place in the American League Central is now in fourth place at 29-29, with Detroit beating Toronto.

Harper had a go-ahead two-run double in the fifth and a sacrifice fly in a four-run sixth.

“I was just trying to go out there and have some good at-bats,” Harper said.

Rendon hit a two-run home run off Mat Latos. Michael A. Taylor added a two-run double and robbed Dioner Navarro with a diving catch in center field.

Reliever Blake Treinen pitched two-hit ball over three scoreless innings after a shaky start by Joe Ross, and the Nationals won a game that lasted 3:55 and featured a combined 14 walks and two hit batters.

“This club can hit,” manager Dusty Baker said after watching his team score 10 runs in the second consecutive game. “We’ve been sporadic in our offense, inconsistent in our offense. Hitting breeds confidence and confidence is spread around.”

Todd Frazier hit his 19th home run for Chicago. Jose Abreu had two hits and drove in two runs and Adam Eaton scored twice, but the White Sox continued their freefall.

Frazier’s two-run homer on a line drive to center in the second gave Chicago a 5-2 lead, but after rallying from five down in Sunday’s win at the Cincinnati Reds, the Nationals recovered again.

“The team gives you lead like they did today and you flat out blow it, “Latos said. “It’s absolutely pathetic.”

Rendon’s two-run drive in the fourth cut the lead to one. Harper, who tied a major league-record with six walks in a game against the Chicago Cubs last month, gave Washington a 6-5 lead with one out in the fifth when he greeted reliever Dan Jennings with a two-run double to center.

The Nationals added four more in the sixth on a two-run double by Taylor off Matt Albers, Harper’s sacrifice fly against Zach Duke and Wilson Ramos’ bases-loaded walk.

Ross lasted just four innings, allowing five runs and four hits. He walked four and threw 91 pitches — 39 in a two-run first.

Latos gave up six runs, five hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings. After winning his first four starts, his ERA has climbed from 0.74 to 4.62, and White Sox manager Robin Ventura sidestepped questions about his future in the rotation.

“Maty’s got to do better,” he said. “He knows that. You can’t go out there and just give them those free passes.”

Right-hander James Shields is scheduled to make his White Sox debut on Wednesday after being acquired from the San Diego Padres, while right-hander Max Scherzer (6-4, 3.87 ERA) starts for Washington. Shields was 2-7 with a 4.28 ERA in 11 starts for the Padres.