Chicago Cubs Lose, Nats Rally to Win in 12, 5-4

The Washington Nationals scored two runs in the bottom of the 12th inning off Trevor Cahill and Adam Warren to upend the Chicago Cubs in a thriller, 5-4.

The game featured great starting pitcher by both Jason Hammel of the Cubs who went seven strong innings and only gave up one run. Stephen Strasburg (10-0, 2.90 ERA) also went seven innings.

Both pitchers did not get a decision.

That was left up to the bullpens, and on this day, Chicago’s faltered. Pedro Strop gave up a solo home run to Stephen Drew to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth. Hector Rondon was given the chance to close the game, but he gave up a two-out base hit to Wilson Ramos to tie game at three in the 9th inning.

In the 12th inning, Trevor Cahill needed to retire the side and the Cubs (44-20) would have come away with an inspired win. But, Michael Taylor drove in Danny Espinosa with a single to right.

Adam Warren came in the 12th inning to relieve Cahill and gave up a base hit to Jayson Werth which scored Taylor to win the game for the Nationals (41-25), 5-4.

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Anthony Rizzo‘s two-run homer in the 9th to give the Cubs a short-lived 3-2 lead went by the wayside. In the top of the 12th, the Cubs took a 4-3 lead when Addison Russell drove in rookie Albert Almora, Jr.

Almora singled to lead off the inning.

He then took second base on a wild pitch by reliever Yusmeiro Petit (2-0). Russell hit a single which drove in Almora and the Cubs had a 4-3 advantage.

However, there is a stark reality. The bullpen is not getting the job done. There may be talk of obtaining a bona fide closer in wake of this game.

Jon Maddon went through his pen, using Justin Grimm, Rondon, Travis Wood, Trevor Cahill, and Warren. Meanwhile. Jason Hammel (7-2, 2.26 ERA) pitched a terrific game, holding the powerful Nats lineup to just five hits and one run.

Strasburg, who has yet to lose a game this season looks like an All-star pitcher. In the fourth inning, he hit Kris Bryant with a pitch then struck out Rizzo, Miguel Montero, and Almora, Jr.  That’s getting the job done.

In this game, the Chicago Cubs wasted some clutch hitting by Rizzo, Almora, and Russell and came up short.