Before Tuesday’s game, Cubs’ manager David Ross spoke to the media about supporting his players as they worked through hitting slumps. After the big 17-3 win, he spoke about seeing the results of their hard work
Seiya Suzuki homered and drove in three runs on a four-hit night, and the Chicago Cubs poured it on late to beat the Washington Nationals 17-3 on Tuesday night.
Patrick Wisdom hit his team-leading 17th homer in the seventh inning to put the Cubs ahead 4-3, and Chicago went on to score five more runs in the seventh and eight in the eighth.
Miguel Amaya and Michael Tauchman each drove in three runs for the Cubs, who finished with 20 hits.
Amaya had a two-run single to cap Chicago's seventh-inning outburst against relievers Amos Willingham (0-2) and Jose Ferrer.
The Cubs sent 13 men to the plate in the eighth. Nico Hoerner had two RBI singles in the frame.
Michael Fulmer (1-5), the first Chicago reliever, got four outs — three via strikeout.
Washington took a 3-0 lead in the first two innings against Jameson Taillon, who settled in after that, working 5 2/3 innings. Manager David Ross pulled Taillon after the big right-hander tumbled trying to field Dominic Smith’s infield single. Fulmer replaced Taillon, who had thrown 92 pitches and didn’t appear to be injured.
Chicago Cubs
Lane Thomas broke a 16-game drought with his team-leading 15th homer, and Corey Dickerson had two RBIs for last-place Washington. Nationals starter Patrick Corbin returned from the paternity list and allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings.
OOPS
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Left fielder Dickerson dropped pinch-hitter Tauchman’s short fly with one out in the sixth, but was able to force Cody Bellinger at third.
SHOELESS DAVE
Washington manager Dave Martinez began his 16-year playing career with the Cubs in 1986 and has fond memories of playing the outfield at Wrigley Field. His favorite: “The ivy. I really do, I love it,” Martinez said.
Martinez urges players to exercise care near the unforgiving brick wall that’s cloaked in green.
“I lost a shoe in there, jumping for a ball,” he said. “My shoe came off, and I had to go find it and put it back on. You learn real quick about running into that wall.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Cubs: 2B Christopher Morel was scratched just before the game with neck tightness. Miles Mastrobuoni took his spot.
UP NEXT
Washington RHP Trevor Williams (5-5, 4.42 ERA) faces Chicago RHP Kyle Hendricks (3-4, 3.57) Wednesday in the series finale.
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