Cubs score late to drop Nats 4-3
By Byron Kerr
In a tie game in the ninth inning, Jonathan Papelbon would usually be summoned.
But with the closer on the disabled list with a intercostal strain, left-hander Sammy Solis battled through the eighth and ninth innings.
With the score tied at 3-3 in the ninth, the Cubs used an Albert Almora Jr. RBI double to take a 4-3 lead.
The Nats were unable to score a run in their last at-bats against Hector Rondon. The Cubs evened the series with the 4-3 victory.
The Nationals had trouble solving Cubs right-hander John Lackey early on, but then began to chip away, thanks to three sacrifice flyouts.
Against Lackey and down 2-0 in the third, Danny Espinosa singled and Gio Gonzalez was hit by a pitch one batter later.
Ben Revere singled, then Jayson Werth brought home Espinosa with a sacrifice fly to right field. The Cubs lead was 2-1.
Down 3-1 in the seventh, the Nats had another shot. Espinosa was hit by a pitch and Jose Lobaton doubled.
With men on second and third, pinch-hitter Wilson Ramos struck out against reliever Pedro Strop.
Revere hit a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Espinosa and the Cubs' lead was trimmed to 3-2.
Then in the eighth, Bryce Harper led off with a walk. One batter later, Ryan Zimmerman delivered his first hit of the game to put men on first and third.
Anthony Rendon flew out to right field. The sacrifice fly brought Harper home and the Nats had tied the game at 3-3.
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