Josh Bell homers as Nationals rally with 5 in the 9th to beat Cubs 6-3
[September 08, 2025]
By MATT CARLSON
CHICAGO (AP) — Pinch-hitter Josh Bell hit a three-run
homer and the Washington Nationals rallied with five runs in the ninth
inning off Cubs closer Daniel Palencia to stun Chicago 6-3 on Sunday.
The Cubs entered the ninth leading 3-1, but Palencia (1-6) failed to
retire any of the five National hitters he faced before leaving with
right shoulder tightness. The right-hander blew his third save in 25
chances. |
Washington Nationals' Josh Bell celebrates with teammates after hitting
a three-run home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against
the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y.
Huh) |
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Robert Hassell III led off with a homer to cut
it to 3-2. Following an infield hit by CJ Abrams and walk to
James Wood, Bell lofted the first pitch he saw to the basket in
left-center for his 17th homer.
Daylen Lile tripled off Palencia and came home on Brady House's
second sac fly of the game to complete the scoring. Lile
finished with two hits and is batting .481 in September.
Carson Kelly hit a pair of solo homers. Colin Rea allowed one
run on three hits and struck out six over 5 1/3 innings,
entering after opener Drew Pomeranz tossed a 1-2-3 first.
Washington took the rubber match of the three-game series for
its fifth win in six. The Cubs fell 7 1/2 games behind first
place Milwaukee in the NL Central.
Mason Thompson (1-0) pitched the eighth, getting the win despite
allowing a run and two hits. Jose Ferrer worked the ninth for
his seventh save.
Nationals starter Andrew Alvarez yielded two runs on three hits
and three walks in his second career appearance. The left-hander
tossed five shutout, one-hit innings to win his major league
debut Monday against Miami.
Former Cubs sluggers Sammy Sosa and Derrek Lee, inducted into
the team’s hall off fame over the weekend, were honored with a
pregame ceremony.
Key moment
Bell's homer to the opposite field off a low-inside fastball
flipped the game.
Key stat
Kelly upped his homer total to 16. He has eight RBIs in his last
seven games, and 49 for the season to set a career high.
Up next
Nationals RHP Cade Cavalli (2-1, 4.85 ERA) starts on Monday at
Miami.
The Cubs had not yet named a starter for Monday’s game at
Atlanta.
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