Despite the Nationals loss, the returning Livan Hernandez pitched well, presenting hope to the potbellied amongst us. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Cubs 9, Nationals 4: Normally, signing a sub-.500 pitcher who was just recently given his unconditional release by a team that’s 17.5 games out shouldn’t be such an occasion, but we’re not talking about any mediocre starter here: we’re talking about Livan Hernandez! (How’s this for depressing: in Nationals franchise history — that is to say, from 2005 on — Livan is still the team’s all-time leader in wins. With 24. Man, the pitching for this team has been great, eh?) In any case, the rotund righty rejoined the team quickly enough to get the start last night at Wrigley. And what do you know: Livan brought the goods, giving up only two runs in six innings. Sadly, the Nationals were unable to scrounge up a quality bullpen arm to replace Jorge Sosa in addition to reacquiring the Cuban. Sosa just fell apart and allowed five runs in the eighth inning — including allowing six straight Chicago batters to reach base — to spoil Hernandez’s effort, and the Nationals fell to the Cubs. On the bright side, if the team can get outings like this from Livan consistently, it’ll be a steal — and another feather in new GM Mike Rizzo’s cap.

Toluca 3, D.C. United 1: United probably played their worst game of the season against the Mexican champions at RFK — we’ll have a complete recap, including photos, tomorrow.