The Nationals Defeat The Cubs 5-0 And Force A Game 5
Game 4 of the Cubs and Nationals series was a real pitching duel for most of the game. Stephen Strasburg was announced earlier in the day as the starting pitcher, which was surprising because just the day before he was reportedly battling flu-like symptoms. Regardless, it was the best thing that could have happened for Washington because he was absolutely phenomenal. They beat the Cubs 5-0 and will head back to D.C. for Game 5.
The offense was very quiet on both sides for the majority of the game, with the Nationals getting one on the board in the top of the 3rd inning thanks to an error by Addison Russell. Washington’s remaining four runs would come from a Michael A. Taylor grand slam in the top of the 8th inning.
Michael A. Taylor with the @Nationals first ever Grand Slam in the postseason in the top of 8th. Nats beat Cubs, 5-0. Game 5 tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/FLCCHy0xOb
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) October 12, 2017
Stephen Strasburg, Jon Lester, and even Jake Arrieta for the most part just dominated all game long. Strasburg went seven innings and gave up no runs on just three hits. Arrieta and Lester combined for 7.2 innings of work and gave up just one run between the both of them. The Cubs bullpen also struggled on Wednesday, with Carl Edwards Jr. and Wade Davis combining for three earned runs, two hits, and three walks without recording a single out.
Today’s game went as good as it could have gone for Dodgers fans. No matter who wins on Thursday in Game 5, both team’s have now exhausted their pitching staff which is great. Also, both teams struggled immensely at the plate this series! Before Wednesday’s game, the Cubs combined for a 1.79 batting average and the Nationals combined for a .121 batting average. In Game 4, both the Cubs’ and Nationals’ 1-4 hitters in the lineup only had one hit each.
Game 5 of the series will take place on Thursday at 5:08 p.m. PT. Hopefully it goes many innings and requires a lot of work from both teams’ pitching staffs! The Nationals will send Gio Gonzalez to the mound and the Cubs will send Kyle Hendricks. Dusty Baker also said that Maz Scherzer is available out of the bullpen. Strap in, because it’s going to be one wild ride!
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