The Washington Nationals pulled off an impressive victory against the Chicago Cubs, finishing 6-3 at Wrigley Field. The Nationals, struggling at the bottom of the NL East, improved their record to 57-84. Meanwhile, the Cubs, still in a strong position in the NL Central, fell to 81-61.
The game was played under blazing conditions, with temperatures reaching 100 degrees and a light breeze blowing out to right field. The first pitch was thrown at 6:37 PM, and the game wrapped up in a concise 2 hours and 8 minutes. Umpire Phil Cuzzi called the shots behind the plate.
Late-Inning Surge
The Nationals were held scoreless through the first four innings, but they started to find their rhythm in the fifth, scoring their first run. However, it was the explosive ninth inning that sealed the deal for Washington, where they piled on five runs to secure the win.
Josh Bell was a key contributor for the Nationals, going 1-for-1 with a crucial home run that brought in three runs. Bell’s timely hit was pivotal in Washington’s five-run ninth inning, giving the team the lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Cade Cavalli and his bullpen counterparts kept the Cubs’ bats under control. Mason Thompson, who pitched the eighth inning, got the win despite allowing a run, improving his record to 1-0 with a 9.00 ERA.
Cubs Struggle Late
On the Cubs’ side, catcher Carson Kelly was a bright spot, hitting a home run and driving in two of their three runs. However, the rest of the lineup struggled to capitalize on opportunities, managing only eight hits against Nationals’ pitching.
Starting pitcher Colin Rea put up a strong performance, pitching over five innings and striking out six, but the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead. Daniel Palencia took the loss, dropping his record to 1-5 with an ERA of 2.12 after giving up the late runs.
The Cubs did manage to score in the second, fifth, and eighth innings, but it wasn’t enough to fend off the late Nationals’ rally. Outfielder Seiya Suzuki added another RBI to his season tally, but the Cubs fell short of expectations at home.
Looking Ahead
With this win, the Nationals hope to build some momentum as they head to Miami to take on the Marlins at loanDepot Park. Manager Miguel Cairo will be looking for his team to continue this upward trajectory in their upcoming road games.
On the other hand, the Cubs will look to regroup as they prepare for a challenging series against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Manager Craig Counsell will aim to tighten up the bullpen and secure crucial wins as the postseason approaches.
The Nationals’ hitting coach Darnell Coles can take some positives from his team’s offensive display, especially the production from young prospects like Robert Hassell III, who also contributed with a home run.
Jim Hickey, the Nationals’ pitching coach, will be pleased with the team’s ability to contain the Cubs’ powerful lineup, despite some nervy moments in the closing stages.
Overall, the Nationals demonstrated resilience and seized their chance at the right moment, providing a glimpse of their potential despite a tough season. The Cubs, though still in a strong position, will need to find answers quickly to remain competitive in the NL Central race.
