Chicago Cubs: An in-person reflection of last season’s NLDS clincher

Chicago Cubs: Nationals seek late-inning heroics

Washington loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the inning, with Harper coming to the plate to face Jose Quintana. Much like Schwarber in the top half, Harper hit one on the screws, but right at Jay in center field. Still, the drive trimmed the Cubs’ lead to 9-7, and Joe Maddon brought bring on Wade Davis to record the first eight-out save of his career.

Suddenly, Washington fans were alight with excitement, seemingly chanting “N-A-T-S Nats, Nats, Nats” with every opportunity. Although Davis retired Zimmerman to end the scoring threat in the seventh, Taylor singled in a run with two outs in the bottom of the eighth. When Jose Lobaton singled, the winning run was suddenly at first base, with Turner coming to the dish.

Turner already had a pair of hits in the game, and Davis looked to be tiring. On a 2-1 pitch, Contreras threw behind Lobaton at first base. Lobaton appeared to beat the throw back to the base fairly handily, but the Cubs challenged anyway.

Replays showed that Lobaton did beat the throw initially, but his foot came off the bag as Rizzo kept the tag on him, and the call was overturned. The bat had been taken right out of Turner’s hands, and the Cubs were out of the inning with their lead intact.