Swanson homers, Smyly sharp as Cubs beat Nationals 5-1 originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Dansby Swanson hit a two-run homer, and Drew Smyly delivered seven solid innings as the Chicago Cubs bounced back from a rough series at Miami to beat the Washington Nationals 5-1 on Monday night.
Swanson went 3-for-5, including a double and his second homer of the season. The 389-foot blast to left-center in the fifth inning made it 4-1 -- a welcome advantage for the Cubs, who snapped a three-game skid. All those losses to the Marlins were by one run.
Smyly (3-1) allowed a homer by Lane Thomas in the second inning but cruised from there, throwing just 84 pitches. The left-hander gave up six hits and walked none in his fifth straight start allowing two runs or fewer.
MacKenzie Gore (3-2) allowed a season-high four runs over four-plus innings on seven hits -- including three doubles and Swanson's homer. Seiya Suzuki had an RBI single in the first for Chicago, and Trey Mancini drove in Suzuki with a double.
Ian Happ homered in the ninth for Chicago off Cory Abbott.
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Dominic Smith had three of Washington's six hits. The Nationals, last in the NL East, have lost four of five.
TRAINER'S ROOM
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Cubs: C Yan Gomes left the game in the second inning as a precaution after getting hit in the head with a backswing. Tucker Barnhart replaced him. ... Swanson received a gash above his right eye sliding into second base in the third. ... RHP Kyle Hendricks (shoulder) will pitch in a rehab game Tuesday for Triple-A Iowa, looking to reach four innings or 60 pitches. ... RHP Jameson Taillon (15-day injured list) will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday.
Nationals: RHP Chad Kuhl was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 30, with a right big toe injury. RHP Cory Abbott was recalled from Triple-A Rochester. ... 3B Carter Kieboom (Tommy John surgery), who has not played in a major league game since 2021, will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday for Double-A Harrisburg.
UP NEXT
The four-game series continues on Tuesday night with Chicago's Hayden Wesneski (2-1, 5.24 ERA) facing Washington's Trevor Williams (1-1, 4.10).
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