WASHINGTON — Alex Bregman's first two plate appearances Tuesday night represented how tough the Chicago Cubs made it on Nationals starter Jake Irvin. By the end of the third inning, the Cubs had already forced Irvin to throw 75 pitches and knocked him out of the game in the fourth with his pitch count nearing 90. AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementThe Cubs' patience paid off against Irvin (five runs) and Washington's bullpen in their 8-6 win at Nationals Park. The victory moved the Cubs 20 games above .500 for the first time this season. Seiya Suzuki worked Irvin for a nine-pitch at-bat in the first, and the Cubs collectively forced a 31-pitch second.