Nationals 2, Cubs 1: Ian Desmond’s two-out RBI single in the top of the ninth inning lifted Washington to a season-opening comeback victory at Chicago’s Wrigley Field.

Desmond, who also scored the tying run in the eighth inning on a bases-loaded walk, drove a 0-1 pitch from Carlos Marmol (0-1) into right field, scoring pinch runner Brett Carroll from second base. The Cubs brought the winning run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth after Ian Stewart tripled to right field with one out, but the Nationals threw Stewart out at the plate on a fielder’s choice by Jeff Baker.

Washington closer Brad Lidge struck out Marlon Byrd for the final out to save the win for Tyler Clippard (1-0), who worked around a one-out infield hit to keep Chicago off the board in the eighth.

Cubs starter Ryan Dempster did not factor in the decision despite allowing just two hits and three walks in 7 2/3 innings of work. The right-hander, who struck out 10 batters, departed with a 1-0 lead but was responsible for the Nationals’ eighth-inning run after Kerry Wood pushed Ian Desmond across with a walk of Jayson Werth. Wood issued three bases on balls in just one-third of an inning.

Stephen Strasburg needed just 82 pitches to get through seven innings for the Nationals, scattering five hits and a walk while striking out five in the first April start of his career.

Byrd drove in the lone Chicago run, plating Stewart with a two-out single in the fourth inning.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Desmond, who finished 3-for-5, had the only two hits that Washington collected against Dempster ... Washington struck out more times last season (1,323) than any team in the major leagues ... Dempster entered the game with a 9-1 record and a 2.87 ERA in 15 career starts against Washington.