Nationals 8, White Sox 7: Adam LaRoche broke out of a slump with a pair of home runs and Ian Desmond and Jayson Werth also went deep as host Washington survived a late push from Chicago in the opener of a three-game series.

Paul Konerko hit a three-run homer and finished with four RBIs for the White Sox, who had a two-game winning streak snapped.

The Nationals touched up starter Jake Peavy (1-1) for six runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings. Three of Washington's four home runs came against the right-hander.

Craig Stammen (2-0) picked up the win despite allowing a run on three hits in his only inning of work, and Rafael Soriano got his third save despite giving up a two-run blast to Alex Rios in the ninth.

Washington's Bryce Harper went 2-for-4 to raise his average to .379.

GAME NOTEBOOK: LaRoche was hitless in 15 at-bats with five strikeouts before hitting home runs in consecutive at-bats. … Nationals LHP Gio Gonzalez allowed one run on four hits in five innings and struck out seven. … The White Sox have scored 20 of their 27 runs on home runs.