Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (9/21/24): Nationals 5, Cubs 1 – Wisdom’s Homer Only Offense
It was all Nationals at Wrigley Field Saturday afternoon, as they took an early lead on the Cubs and never looked back. Chicago got a solo homer to avoid a no-hitter and a shutout, but that was basically all with Washington rolling to a 5-1 victory.
Kyle Hendricks did a decent job early on, allowing only a 2nd inning sacrifice fly to former teammate Ildemaro Vargas in the first five frames. Nats starter MacKenzie Gore was even better, not allowing any hits across his first six innings.
Hendricks ran into major trouble in the 6th when he allowed three singles to load the bases with nobody out. The Professor gave up a second sac fly to Keibert Ruiz before being relieved by Keegan Thompson. The reliever did not fare well, immediately giving up a three-run homer to Joey Gallo that provided Washington a very comfortable 5-0 advantage.
Patrick Wisdom scuttled Gore’s no-hit bid with a long home run in the bottom of the 7th. The rest of the afternoon was uneventful with an easy Nats win. (Box score)
Key Moment
The first two Cubs batters in the 5th inning walked to put the tying run in scoring position for Nico Hoerner, who grounded into his second double play of the game to short-circuit the rally. Washington went on to score four in the next frame.
Why the Cubs Lost
They only had two hits the entire afternoon.
Stats That Matter
- Hendricks didn’t do a bad job but the final inning skewed his numbers: 5.1 IP, 4 R, 9 H, 2 K, and 1 BB.
- Chicago’s elimination number is down to just one and they are officially out of the playoffs with a Mets win.
Bottom Line
Hendricks will probably be making his final start in a Cubs uniform next weekend at Wrigley. It’s pretty a safe bet it’s going to be very emotional one. Perhaps even the stoic number 28 will get a case of the feels?
On Deck
The North Siders attempt to win the series Sunday at 1:20pm CT as Shōta Imanaga does battle against Jake Irvin in a game airing on Marquee and 670 The Score.