CHICAGO CUBS (3-2) 9
WASHINGTON NATIONALS (2-3) 8
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Addison Russell went 2-for-4 with four RBI for the Cubs, contributing his first and only four RBI of the series. Russell benefited from an aggressive approach, facing just 12 pitches over five at bats and driving in all four of his RBI on the first pitch of the given at bat (two doubles and a ground out).
Washington’s Michael Taylor matched Russell with four RBI on two hits, including a three-run home run in the second inning. Taylor had three hits, including his three-run home run and a grand slam, and eight RBI in the final two games of the series.
The Nationals had a pair of runners on base with two outs in the eighth inning, down by only one 9-8, when Cubs catcher Willson Contreras fired a pick-off throw down to Anthony Rizzo at first. As Rizzo received the throw and slapped down the tag, Jose Lobaton slid feet-first back into the base and was called safe. Both Rizzo and Lobaton thought the call was correct at first. However, Cubs manager Joe Maddon chose to challenge the play and the review yielded an overturn of the call, as the umpires ruled Lobaton’s foot had slid off the base while Rizzo applied the tag. The inning ended, and so did the Nationals’ rally.
Prior to this, in the fifth inning, the Nationals had a point of contention of their own. With runners on first and second for the Cubs, Javier Baez struck out to seemingly end the inning. But, the pitch got past catcher Matt Wieters and Baez ran down to first. Wieters attempted to throw Baez out and the throw scooted into right field, allowing a run to score and putting runners on second and third. Wieters contended that Baez had hit his mask with the back-swing, which should end the play and the inning. But the umpire stayed with the call of no interference and the play stood. According to the current challenge rules, the play could not be challenged.
The fifth inning also saw, directly after the passed ball play, Tommy La Stella reach first to load the bases when Wieters was called for catcher’s inference. This set up a run to score when Jon Jay was hit by a pitch, bringing in the runner from third.
The Cubs advance to the NLCS for the third straight season. They lost four games to none to the New York Mets in 2015 and defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers four games to two in 2016. The Nationals have yet to win a playoff series since the organization moved to the nation’s capital.
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE:
NEW YORK YANKEES vs. HOUSTON ASTROS (Game 1) 8:08 p.m.
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