Nationals Secure Victory Over Cubs with Late-Inning Rally

CHICAGO: The Washington Nationals pulled off a stunning comeback against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Sunday, securing a 6-3 victory in Major League Baseball (MLB). A five-run ninth inning, highlighted by Josh Bell’s three-run home run, propelled Washington to the win.

Chicago held a 3-1 advantage heading into the ninth, but closer Daniel Palencia (1-6) struggled to contain Washington’s offense. Robert Hassell III initiated the rally with a leadoff homer off Palencia. Following two more batters reaching base, Bell launched a home run, putting the Nationals in front.

An apparent injury forced Palencia’s exit, with Porter Hodge taking over. Hodge then allowed a run when Daylen Lile scored on Brady House’s double play to conclude the inning.

Mason Thompson (1-0) earned the win despite surrendering a run in the eighth. Jose Ferrer closed the game with a scoreless ninth for the Washington Nationals.

Lile had two hits for Washington (58-84), who have now won five of their last six contests. Carson Kelly hit two solo home runs, and Nico Hoerner added two hits for Chicago (81-62).

The Nationals were limited to just three hits until their game-changing ninth-inning surge. Kelly opened the scoring for Chicago with a home run in the second inning against Andrew Alvarez.

Lile singled to lead off the fifth, advanced to third on Luis Garcia Jr.’s one-out ground-rule double, and then scored on House’s sacrifice fly, tying the game at 1-1.

Colin Rea pitched effectively for the Cubs, allowing only one run on three hits with six strikeouts across five and one-third innings.

The Cubs broke the 1-1 tie in the fifth when Hoerner scored on an RBI single by Seiya Suzuki.

Alvarez, making his second career start, pitched four and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs on three hits while recording two strikeouts.

Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli is scheduled to start on Monday at Miami.