Yadiel Hernandez launches walk-off HR as Nationals beat Cubs

[August 02, 2021]   Yadiel Hernandez led off the bottom of the ninth with his second home run of the game and the Washington Nationals defeated the visiting Chicago Cubs 6-5 on Sunday.

Chicago Cubs center fielder Rafael Ortega (66) reacts after hitting a two run home run against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Hernandez, who homered to left-center on a 2-2 pitch from Manuel Rodriguez (0-1), finished with four hits and three RBIs. Josh Bell had a pair of run-scoring singles as Washington won the rubber game of the series.

Washington overcame a three-homer, five-RBI performance from Chicago's Rafael Ortega, who had four homers over two games. He had four of the Cubs' five hits on Sunday.

Kyle Finnegan (4-2) pitched a scoreless ninth for the win.

Washington starter Erick Fedde allowed three runs on four hits over six innings. He struck out eight and walked one.

Adbert Alzolay gave up four runs on seven hits in five innings while striking out four for Chicago. He also walked four.

Ortega led off the game against Fedde and sent a 2-1 sinker to right center for his fourth homer of the season.

Rene Rivera led off the Washington third with a single and Fedde sacrificed him to second. With two outs, the Cubs intentionally walked Juan Soto to get to Bell, who lined a single to left. Rivera scored and Bell raced to second on the throw home. Catcher Robinson Chirinos threw down to second and Soto raced in from third to make it 2-1.

Bell then scored on Hernandez's single to right and Washington led 3-1.

In the fourth, Rivera was hit by a pitch and later scored on Bell's bases-loaded single to make it 4-1.

Fedde cruised after the first inning until the sixth. Pinch hitter Andrew Romine led off with a single and Ortega lifted a 3-2 sinker into the Nationals' bullpen in right to pull the Cubs within 4-3.

In the Washington seventh, Hernandez, facing Kyle Ryan, snuck a fly ball just over the wall down the left field line to make it 5-3.

After pinch hitter Willson Contreras walked with one out in the eighth, Ortega struck again, this time hitting a 3-2 changeup from Wander Suero to right and tying the game 5-5.

--Field Level Media

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