Cubs 7-6 Nationals (September 19, 2024) Match Report

CHICAGO – Seiya Suzuki hit a home run, Cody Bellinger scored three runs and the Chicago Cubs beat the Washington Nationals 7-6 on Thursday night to avoid elimination from the postseason.

Joey Gallo hit a three-run home run for Washington, which had previously lost four games in a row.

The Cubs trailed 6-5 after Gallo threw to reliever Drew Smyly in the sixth inning, but took the lead for good with a two-run seventh inning. Bellinger scored the tying point with a single and Isaac Paredes came next with an RBI groundout to reliever Robert Garcia (3-6).

Dansby Swanson had three more hits and struck out four for Chicago, which is seven games out of the final NL wild-card spot with nine games remaining after wins over New York and Arizona on Thursday morning.

Bellinger said the Cubs are not worried that their postseason hopes could be dashed as early as this weekend.

“You still want to do your job and plan plays for the pitcher,” he said.

Ethan Roberts (1-0), the third of five Cubs relief pitchers, picked up his first career win and Porter Hodge made his sixth save in the ninth inning.

“The top hitters definitely did a great job,” said Cubs manager Craig Counsell after his first four batters had 10 hits and five RBIs.

The teams traded runs in the first inning before scoring two runs in the third. In Chicago's half of the third inning, Suzuki hit his 21st home run of the season, a two-run shot off starter Patrick Corbin.

“I'm seeing the ball well,” Suzuki said through an interpreter after extending his hitting streak to 10 games. “I feel like I can get a little more aggressive.”

Chicago scored two more runs to make it 5-3 before Gallo scored against Drew Smyly in the sixth inning to give the Nationals a brief 6-5 lead.

CJ Abrams had four hits and two points, while freshman Darren Baker added three hits and one point for Washington.

“We swung the bats well, I think we ran the bases well,” said Washington manager Dave Martinez. “If we keep swinging the bats like that, everything will be fine.”

Chicago starter Javier Assad allowed seven hits, three runs and one walk in the first five innings and had five strikeouts.

Corbin allowed eight hits and five runs with one walk and struck out four players in 4 1/3 innings.

TRAINING ROOM

Nationals: OF Jacob Young left with shoulder soreness after being caught stealing in the second inning. He will be examined further on Friday. … Catcher Keibert Ruiz took a foul ball to the groin from Isaac Paredes in the third inning but remained behind the plate after being examined by the training staff.

Cubs: As James Wood slid to third base in the third inning, Paredes' left hand appeared to be bent backward, but he stayed in the game and made the ensuing play in the field.

Next

The series continues Friday afternoon when Washington's Trevor Williams (5-0, 2.22 ERA) makes his first start since May 30 against fellow RHP Jameson Taillon (10-8, 3.54).

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