|
 Second baseman Addison Russell delivered a walk-off RBI double to
score Jonathan Herrera from second in the ninth inning, giving
Chicago a 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday.
"You've got to believe you can do it," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.
"If something happens during the course of the game, you've got to
know you can overcome it."
The Cubs battled back from a late 2-1 deficit on the way to their
major-league-leading fifth walk-off win and 13th by a single run
this season.
Russell's two-out hit to deep center snapped a 2-2 tie and ended a
two-game Cubs losing skid.
"Addison being able to play on both sides of the ball as well as he
did, I know he's going to leave here very happy tonight," Maddon
said. "This guy just turned 21. He's learning his craft on the fly
here, and he's done a great job."
Herrera reached on a pinch-hit fielder's choice with one out and
advanced to scoring position on Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond's
throwing error.
"Desi (was) trying to make a play out of something that he can't
make a play out of," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "The
ball's not hit hard enough to turn two there. He tried to transfer
it and throw it quickly, and he threw it wide."
Cubs right-hander Hector Rondon (3-0) worked a scoreless ninth for
the victory.
Nationals left-hander Matt Grace (2-1) got two outs in the ninth
inning but took the loss thank to Chicago's unearned run.
Washington center fielder Denard Span collected his second home run
in two days to snap a tie with two outs in the eighth inning. The
solo shot to right off Chicago right-handed reliever Pedro Strop
temporarily gave the Nationals a 2-1 lead.
Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant matched Span with his seventh homer
of the season in the bottom of the eighth. The solo shot on a 3-2
pitch from Nationals right-handed reliever Aaron Barrett hit off the
new left field video board.
Chicago right-hander Kyle Hendricks emerged with a no-decision for
the seventh time in nine starts this season and the fourth in his
past five outings. He threw seven innings of one-run ball.
"(Hendricks) stayed away, he stayed away with that sinker," Desmond
said. "It took a little bit for us to get him on the plate. We had
the lead on him, but couldn't finish it off."
Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann also gave up one run in
seven innings.
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"After the first couple of innings, I started getting the feel,"
Zimmermann said. "The slider was good, and I was able to break the
curveball out late and get a few strikeouts when I needed to. But
it's a good lineup, and I had to battle for sure."
Both teams had to contend with a stiff winds that figured in at
least two home runs to left.
Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper tied the game at 1-1 in the
seventh with his leadoff home run to left. Harper's shot was his
17th of the season and 12th in May.
Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler led off the first with a solo home
run to right. Fowler launched a 2-2 pitch from Zimmermann for his
fifth homer of the season. It was his 11th career leadoff shot and
second this year.
Desmond doubled to right-center with two outs in the sixth to extend
his hitting streak to 11 games.
NOTES: Tuesday's game was the second of seven between the Cubs and
Nationals in 11 days. The teams close the current series on
Wednesday in Chicago and meet in Washington for four games starting
June 4. ... Washington moved to the top of National League offensive
leaderboards through Monday in runs (214), RBIs (208) and runs per
game (4.76). ... Washington RHP Doug Fister, on the 15-day disabled
list with right forearm tightness, begins a throwing program
Wednesday. ... The Nationals send RHP Max Scherzer (5-3, 1.67 ERA)
against Cubs LHP Jon Lester (4-2, 3.50 ERA) in Wednesday's series
finale. ... Cubs RF Jorge Soler entered Tuesday leading major league
rookies with 48 hits, but he went 0-for-4. ... Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo
has reached base 89 times this season. Washington RF Bryce Harper
(92) leads the majors in that category.
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