MLB The Show 24: Game 2: Cubs @ Nationals

live from Nationals Park in Washington DC Saturday baseball on the show it's the Chicago Cubs and the Washington Nationals first pitch coming your way next and now your 2024 [Applause] National about to get started here and on the hill today Josiah gray and singy we were talking earlier about how he's doing a great job navigating through tough spots I've just been so impressed with when it seems like there's more pressure he's more calm and settles in he's done an incred job with runners in scoring position most guys get a little aim the baseball but for some reason he gets looser the ball comes out of his hand with more life and he's able to wiggle off the hook of you know tough situations and get his team back in the Dugout Trey Turner stands in now looks at that one inside first pitch 405 the wi to kick the pitch s and in a miss one ball one [Applause] strike on the ground and that's just [Applause] foul that misses the zone two and two it's a good take delivers outside C battling here as he fouls it away the pitch in the air to left Center Gallow moves towards it no trouble here puts it away for the out one away here's a look at the Cubs lineup this is a ball club that can really slug lots of homers lots of extra base hits and Chris that of course a huge part of success in the standings for this group well if you're going to be successful in today's game you've got to be able to hit the ball over the fence just defensively very hard to find the holes and when you're talking about guys you know coming out of the bullpen throwing 95 and above very difficult it's hard to string together two three four hits to score Those runs so definitely critical to hit those homers get the extra base knocks and that's exactly what they've been doing Rael de in the box now no balls in a strike Now power is such a big part of the success that we see with the good teams in league right now and even in the postseason and a swinging a Miss there oh [Applause] two and that one almost hit him one out base is empty one down base is empty that misses the zone two and two [Applause] and there's a fly Ball Deep right field that's B forget it Rafael De rounds the bases just like that they move in front it's one [Applause] nothing knew what pitch he wanted to hit spit on some other pitches in this H bat was very patient and it paid off and now batting Mike Trout I'm liking what I've seen from him at the dish lately currently owns a seven game hitting streak there's a strike gray a former Allstar 26 years old a former first round pick back in 2018 and ball one one run acrossing the frame so far and we're just getting started here in the top of the first rander kicks deals swing and a miss and he chases that one in the dirt but they won't have a play as he takes first on the drop third strike well you don't see it very often but every once in a while a guy strikes out and still somehow ends up safe on First and when it happens you kind of scratch your head but I guess sometimes a pitch is so nasty it makes it everyone missed now they're going to have to get more than three outs in this inning now here's Nolan Jones coming off a four hit effort in yesterday's [Applause] game outside and that's ball one [Applause] man at first one [Applause] away a swing and a miss and that's strike [Applause] one grounder might be two goes to Second safe there safe at first as they can't make the play oh that extra step before getting rid of it really should have caused him to throw the ball across the DI first base he tries to force it to Second and now both Runners are safe noash gets a chance to hit it's great to get on the board in the first frame the ball game but here's an opportunity for them to really open things up with a couple of Runners on let's see if they can cash in and that's off the Inside Edge and and that is ball one Runners at first and second with one gone here in the second game of the [Applause] series pitch off the play and now two and0 with this many pitches thrown here in this first inning I mean you're giving the other team a really good look he's going to have to find a way to get contact maybe a swing and Miss get into that dug out and hit the reset button that's a little high well they're really running up the pitch count in this first inning lots of Confidence from this team that is perhaps the hottest in baseball right now here's a three-oh and he walked just came apart right there four pitch walk and Guy the play was not going to help him out by swinging it something out of the one down and up next for Chicago O'Neal Cruz golden opportunity right here and that's off the Inside Edge and it's w too [Applause] [Applause] all loaded up dangerous hitter at the plate swing and a miss strike [Applause] one swings and misses one and two kicks and sharp grounder that's through for base hit one runs in and they hold the runner at third Bas is remain loaded here still only one gone he was all that one there's nothing about the way he got that one through the that was ripped C out in front and didn't get under it like he would have like but definitely put a good swing on so Bas is loaded with one away and now the short stop Dan B Swanson definely scuffling at the dish lately under the Mendoza Line so far this month that misses ball [Applause] [Applause] one that's down and in [Applause] and that one is lifted in the air robless under this one drops into the glove Runner tagging from third he'll score on the sack fly three nothing there you go nice little RBI there it's aat got the job done so first and second with two outs and up to hit is Wilson contras in the grand scheme of things thisat might not feel important because it's early but it could create a domino effect for things to come control what you can here and have a strong inat just missed bashet the lead runner at second Cruz at first two out of the inning [Applause] and that's skip [Applause] s two on two outs strike one two and one two balls at a strike here it comes hard hit left side they take the force out they limit the damage here three runs for them here and they move ahead bottom half of inning number one coming up it's the Cubs three and the Nationals nothing back here with my pal singi and on the bound now hter Green Well coming into this game hitters are batting under 250 against this starting pitcher so it just shows you how effective he's been he's been able to move pitches around and that don't get too comfortable and start sing up the base we'll see what he's got in this one the pitch CJ abrs now the Box comes up empty with a swing there well after putting up a nice Inning on offense got some runs across this is where you look for the starter to go out there have a shutd down inning don't give that other team any hope uh you just hope that he can get through this inning get the bats back up there while they're hot slider misses outside that one the other way calls it in one away here's Dave Martinez line up for the Nationals batting second a really important guy for them Stow Garrett well he's an important part of this lineup for sure I mean there's no doubt about it boo it's somebody that they try to feed off of he does a lot of things you know very well up there at the plate he's got a presence about him and you know he's a guy that you really kind of like to watch swing the bat Stone Garrett the next to hit takes ball [Applause] one next pitch is [Applause] outside here's the swing in a miss the cheese on that one here's a 2-1 and it's swinging the Miss out there on the M he's setting the tone early with the fast 98 milph up on the scoreboard two two swings and misses struck him out came inside with that two strike fast nicely and justed him up on the ins could get around on it and catch it out front many times if you do it's a foul and you know a lot of pitchers they really don't like working inside with two strikes because they do not want to hit that batter and when they've got him up against the Wes got to figure out a way to put him away did a nice job right there next offering in there for a strike and two more and more guys are looking to SL regardless of the count and this situation will keep a close eye on his approach and a pitch missed one ball live drive that's a base hit batting the leel Joey so two down Joey Gallow steps to the plate hom last night added another hit as well breaking ball inside one [Applause] and0 ball for a strike [Applause] righty to the plate smash to the left side they get the force and that is that so one hit is all they get second inning coming up from our nation's capital it's the Cubs three and the Nationals nothing back in Washington DC here's Byron buckon amazing athlete this guy is power and speed quite a threat I mean you're talking about someone that could steal you a bag and go deep Bo Jackson anyone that one not close and that's ball one when you have a real athletic player and who's able to do the baseball mechanical things really well look out because the sky the limit on that potential next pitch misses way outside [Applause] there's a strike oh I think that pitch surprised all of us right down the middle doesn't get a swing not very often you see a hitter lay off a cookie like that swing and a miss for the strikeout had him out front for strike three oh there's a small side of relief right there I mean just to keep that speed off the base pass it's not just the pitcher it's other guys that have to think about it from your infielders have to think about that Runner potentially stealing but also be in position to make a play as an outfielder you're thinking about a base hit to the Outfield I got to get to it quickly to try to keep this guy from taking an extra base so I think everyone just a little more relaxed that he didn't reach Bas slings it across two up two down the first number Rael two outs Bas is empty Rafael Des the next CB to hit he's already homered here in this [Applause] one and a strike in there no ball one [Applause] straight two down dolman and there's a foul [Applause] [Applause] ball left hand hitter Waits flyball down the line Gallow sprinting for this one automatic double now as it hops the wall in foul ground well there's something really nice about getting yourself an automatic double like that you get to stroll in second base without having to worry about a throw or get your uniform dirty and now you're just looking for the next H to kind of do the same thing maybe put one in the Gap so you can jog home as well here's Mike Trout [Applause] that one misses and that is ball [Applause] one de at second with two down just missed well he looks more focused at the plate and working the count after that first at bat [Applause] [Music] [Applause] strikeout and it's second and that one is inside not really attacking on the in this is bat all breaking ball so that makes me think they're not really want to challenge him here [Applause] the rander gives up the two out walk definitely lost the handle during that sequence four pitches for the walk and that last didn't even threaten The Zone might want to go talk to him so here's the cleanup hitter Nolan Jones for one he hit into a fielder's choice is first time up and in and it's one [Applause] and and another ball good spot for the hit definitely has the adantage Miss count with Runners on look for him to be aggressive on this next pitch first and second two down here at the top of the second that one ripped way back there and they tack on to their lead it's six nothing his Bat looks like it's in the zone for such a long time and that gives him the ability to get Barrel on it and hit the ball out to any part of the park here comes the skipper and we're going to see a pitching change in this spot Josiah gray done for the day and we'll be back with their first arm out of the pen after a quick break Mason Thompson comes on now well they need someone to stop the bleeding and keep the score right where it is seems like a tough task today with the way this lineup is swinging it so two away with nobody on B bashet up to the dish [Applause] right through there for a [Applause] strike two outs up and in and the count is one and one the pitch way out front for strike two clearly was sitting on a fast right there and just ended up out in front of the slider hey you can't fault him for his commitment now he's just going to have to battle with two strikes and the righty deals that's ripped Bas hit and that extends the inning everything came together perfectly for him right there pitch was in and off the plate so hard to do anything with a pitch in that location but somehow he got the barrel to it and hit it well pretty amazing and at first here's O'Neal [Applause] Cruz there's a strike one the Cubbies up big in this one here in the second game of the [Applause] series one ball this one kicks away a little as he can't squeeze it throw a second not in time he's there easily and now a man into scoring position this is something that'll happen to him from time to time behind the dish the defense is a part of his game he's trying to improve but right there just couldn't squeeze it and it cost [Applause] [Music] him man on second two down that one ripped right center field that's back got all of that one he'll touch them all it's their second home run of the inning it's eight nothing that's their third home run of the game they're having a lot of fun at the plate in this one they've got the long ball working for them on autopilot a breaking ball on the inside part of the play requires a hitter to stay really square with his mechanics if you fly open with the fresh shoulder there's no way you keep that ball Fair an outstanding job mechanically he deserves that home [Applause] run Danby Swanson stands in swung on beled way back there and it's off the foul pole for a home run they go backto back and they add to their lead it's N9 nothing well he really crushed that thing down the line and everyone had to hold their breath until it clanked off the and every time that happens it just kind of feels like a trick shot or something but really it's just a stroke of luck that it stays Fair long [Applause] enough Wilson contras now up to the plate that one's in there it's 0 and one two out spaces [Applause] empty this one in the air right field Garrett in position brings it in and that's the third out and welcome back to the ballp here's the second base Luis Garcia well every pitcher wants a run support and having a lead is nice but it can be challenging for some pitchers I think keeping the mindset to attack instead of trying to be too fine and have too much finesse go after hitters and get quick outs that one fouled off I want to start that load a little bit sooner because of the good vo and he deals right side Jones makes the grab down and now it's kebert Ruiz and the first pitch misses for ball one and that's down it away he's been raking in recent games and a big reason why getting ahead and counts he's been able to do that consistently and you see the results foul ball the Nets with a lot of ground to make up bottom half of inning number two in the air center field trout is there two down batting the designated here's Lane Thomas [Applause] and first off ring is fouled [Applause] off got a good eye there one ball one strike ball to strike now Fly ball to Right Center Jones sizing this one up makes the grab and that'll do [Applause] [Applause] it top half of the third inning so up now for Chicago Byron [Applause] Buon here the right hter back to work and the slider catches the zone you know these Cubs putting together some really good at bats in this game there's been a lot to like with how they're approaching their chances at the pl five of their hits have come from a bats where they were behind in the count so they're really battling up there good eye on that spot and even if they don't want to make it a habit of falling behind they're doing a great job of making the most out of it I think that's contagious throughout the lineup at the belt and fires just off the Inside Edge right-handed reliever that one hammered center field ress going back on this one up against the wall and brings it in Trey Turner at the play [Applause] splits the plate that's strike [Applause] one one down base is empty and a foul ball bounced up the middle Abrams On The Run throw the first Turner is out I love how guys at this level are able to slow the game down whether it's in the batter box for on defense and right there that was a good job of knowing just how much time he had we talk about that internal clock he was able to gather himself get a good grip and make an accurate throw across the diam and it's Rafael DES in the Box he's already homered in this game and that is INR strike and it's own and one [Applause] [Applause] towards first he takes it himself to the bag and that'll do it Cubs are down quietly but they still hold a n nothing lead and we're back ready to go for the last half of the inning and now it's switch hitting third basan ilaro Vargas the right hander back to work out side low and that's ball one this is one of those times when you want to be aggressive go ahead and Pitch to contact let the defense work behind you you've got a nice comfortable lead don't try to be too fine swing and he breaks his back beand grab gathers and throws but he beats it out and the lead off man is on with an infield single was a but the same can't be said for the contact he got just enough of the ball to put it in play and that's all he needed tough play for the defense on what was kind of a swinging bu Victor robless in now takes ball one off the plate Vargas aboard here at first with nobody [Applause] out this one high in the air to left Center squeezes it the batter number five Short Stop CJ Abra so the net lineup turns over and now CJ Abrams he's over for one that one finds The Zone that's strike [Applause] one long drive and that should be extra bases Vargas round second on his way to [Applause] third everything came together for him nice line drive to the side it out stay thre it nice enough and ripped it into the Outfield one away Runners at second and third Stone Garrett now at the plate struck out swinging his first time out to short Swanson On The Run sends it over the first now two away as they get a run across up the first Joey manessis digging in for the Nationals one for one with a single so [Applause] far swings through that one for strike one one strike two outs and a runner a third here in the last half of the Third that pitch gets the corner and the count is 0 and [Applause] two that one lifted to left buckon makes the play and it's out number three so they pick up a run on two hits no errors in a man left three Innings complete it's the Cubs nine and the Nets one start of the fourth here's trout great speed and great power a great athlete quite simply he's like Mike Trout you figure whatever you put in his hand whether it's a bat whether it's a golf club whether it's a basketball he can do it and get it done and a rare Talent so much fun to watch and a pitch one [Applause] low and the righthander deals he swings fouls one [Applause] off and here it comes C him looking for the K Nolan Jones the next cup to hit one for two Jones measures 6' 4 in 95 lb and he's been touching home PL quite a bit lately scoring eight runs over the last 10 games and the first offering is not close the Cubs up big in this one top half of inning number four not even close there and the count two and one one down base is empty that one misses now three and one [Applause] left hand batter weights and there's ball for speaking of walks did you see anything special during you're walking into the ballpark today I know you like to take in all the surroundings I just love interacting with the people it's just fun to connect I mean as I was headed up to the booth one guy shouted at me make sure to say hi to Kenny fette batting with one down takes a strike that was the pitch to hit foring fast instead of that Sinker ball that makes you hit it on the ground he missed a good one rightand her kick deals this one lifted in the air left field Gallow makes the grab for the second out throw and it gets away the batter the third Beman O'Neal crw man at first O'Neal Cruz the next cup to hit [Applause] and a big swing in a miss this guy's usually not one to chase pitches off the plate but he did there we'll see if he can tighten up his Zone a little [Applause] bit Jones off of first with two [Applause] away that one ripped but foul well he missed a hitable off spe pitch right there not sure exactly with the timing sometimes you get a backup breaking ball you're expecting it to make its move at the end it never does and you're tied up and one and [Applause] two B squirts away a little bit well done behind the dish still two and two after the foul [Applause] ball that's inside 32 two out first lot of movement in the infield hitters got to stay focused on the pitch gets a piece and stays [Applause] [Applause] alive that's hard hit in the line Garrett brings it in for the third out one left for the Cubs but they still hold a commanding 91 [Applause] lead back here in Nationals Park out of four here's Joey [Applause] gy yow [Applause] green back to work and that's off the Inside Edge ball one chase that time Bo he never moved cuz he never had time to with that kind of velocity you'd prefer that pitcher work away the wide the kick the two and that one Clips the corner he's been able to go inside as well as outside effectively working both sides of the plate in this at bat that one missing inside he hasn't fallen behind in the count like this all day he's in danger of walking his first batter right here [Applause] and the pitch that one misses so a lead off walk just missed there how would you describe your stri kind of like a Weeble large so man aboard and now it's Luis Garcia fly to right his first time that's in there one one there it was a high velocity fast in the zone I think a little frustration from walking the previous hitter he's got good stuff pitch inside the zone and trust it kick sandal hey don't play situation here he's been working up in the zone typically you look for guys to get that ground ball see if he adjusts on this next pitch runner at first with no outs [Applause] here there's ball kicks and fires keeps the it back going with a foul ball that's down and in this guy's a fun guy to watch taking it bat he just battles up there he doesn't take a pitch off at all makes it so difficult on the pitchers out there you could tell they get frustrated with how long it takes to put them away righty to the plate hit in the air left field grabs It On the Run and there's one away now Patt R now the catcher up to hit Hebert Ruiz swings through that one and one he's pitching well but not throwing a ton of first pitch strikes usually doesn't work out for success but he can never predict baseball and the righty [Applause] deals the Nationals with a lot of ground to make up we're here in the bottom of the fourth up and in one and two to count and the pitch got him [Applause] swinging Lane Thomas digging in for the Nationals [Applause] thas that's outside one and0 swing and a miss 99 how do you do [Applause] the pitch and that one a little below the knees and now three and [Applause] one this one popped up outr first Bas side caral it and that is the third out of the inning Nationals leave one they Trail it big it's [Music] [Applause] 91 we're back and there's a new arm on the mound to start the F Jacob Barnes and with the big deficit on the scoreboard he almost has to just put that out of his every outing matters Forevers in their numbers but I think it's tough to get up for this type of appearance the same way you would for one in a close game so up now for Chicago Dan B [Applause] Swanson here comes a pitch ball one no strikes you know these Cubs simply but are producing a lot of quality swings they have five extra base hits on the stat sheet so far and that tells me they're seeing the ball out of the pitcher hand really well check swing did he go yes he did with all those extra base hits it's easy to think we're going to see that Trend continue the rest of the game they seem to be really locked in at the plate righty delivers in the air right field sizes this one up puts it away for the out one down now bat at the pl Wilson contras well in their win last game this guy came up with two home runs obviously trying to keep the roll going here in this one activity in the bullpen Kyle again up and loosening in the pen rainy getting loose as well B is empty one away and we're at the top of the fifth next offering is downstairs [Applause] the one- one is fouled [Applause] off the onew foul ball left side he'll see another one down base is empty hit in the air right field Garrett pulls it down and there's two [Applause] gone now B let Byron buckston the next cup to hit singy you got to appreciate a guy who's this good defensively I mean watching him track balls in the Outfield it is beautiful [Applause] he's so solid calms the heart rate of the pitcher and the manager when the ball goes up in the air you just automatically assume that it's an out every time it's hit in the air swings through that there's one guy that I can think about Bo who started as a third basan Alex Gordon and then became an elite perennial gold Glover out in left field for the Kansas City Royals but he's a guy when you watch him play you would imagine that that's all he ever played in his life was the Outfield and a swing in a miss and that's that and welcome back to the and now ilaro Vargas yeah some guys just have instincts right I mean that's the way it goes we talk about Larry Walker the Hall of Famer and his Instinct on the bases despite the fact that he didn't play a ton of baseball as a kid and that drops in for a strike remember Mark Kat was a real good defensive Outfield good instincts not great speed ah that hit him and the lead off man is aboard to start the inning he seems a little focus on exting that pitch right there not staying through the Target and clearly not the release yeah and I figured you would get Kat into this because you had a free dinner at his house the other night that is true left field sizing this one up and there's one [Applause] down the patter number five Short Stop CJ AB here's CJ abs to hit up the middle and it's through for a hit quick throw back in lead Runner holds it second with one gone now digs in now picked up an RBI and his last at still their only run of the game so far fast ball for a strike next offering misses down and Away the one one is upstairs two and one it's a big opportunity right here but I love the way he's slowing the game down he's shrinking his Zone making sure he gets the the pitch that he wants to [Applause] hit the 2-1 late that time and it's strike two that fast right by him slightly elevated that's a confidence boost for this guy out there on the mound see if he continues to climb the ladder two on one out fights it off you'll see another the pitch swing and a miss struck him out now two out typically that high fast if it's close to the top of the strike zone a hit he's prepared for it can get to it that one just had that little jump at the end which indicates there's a good spin rate on it and it didn't decrease in velocity as that hitter's internal clock would expect it to and that's why you see the swing and miss menesses into the box again takes a [Applause] strike the pitch perhaps not quite ready to hit first two pitches by him for a couple of strikes now back is against the walls going to have to figure something out and figure it out quickly Vargas over at second ABS on it first with two now count two and a pitch puts it in the air out towards left Center stretches out and holds it in that one was ticketed for The Gap but couldn't get through security great job there of Leaping making the catch and ending the inning back in Washington DC here's Turner now Turner Barnes back to work right through there for a strike the pitch liner and that should be extra bases around first heading for two and he's there with a lead off double could it up any better than that as a there's not a whole lot feeling a dou the Gap right off theat you know you put a great swing on the [Applause] baseball so man aboard and here is [Applause] des one no ball one stke no outs runner on second the pitch way high there and the count one and two Now One Missed and now the count is full and another power hitter lurking in the OD deck Circle [Applause] and it's second swings throw it and that's a strike out this guy will throw any pitch in any count 32 he goes off speed the out so next Mike Trout a strike out and a walk that one is absolutely belted and caught on the warning track run who tags it second flying around third is Turner and he's out up down and that ends the in was exciting to see a play at the pl try to score with two outs but the tag just gets him in and they cut down the run to end the inning and we're back on of the six and here is Joey Gallow Joey Gallow the wine and the pitch swing and a miss that one 99 and it's and one and that's outside one one [Applause] the wi of the pitch L and that's a base hit and the lead off man aboard got a change up and a pretty good one too outside corner but he just got extended and put the barrel on it show he has a lot of plate coverage on that swing right there now it's the second baseman Luis Garcia his righty Lefty splits there now contras has some trouble with it and he'll move up to second no problem should be a pass ball and that takes away the double play had some real trouble with the pitch there that's one he should have had and that essentially turns that lead off single into a lead off double takes away any chance of neutralizing it with the double play ball the Nets with a lot of ground to make up here in the bottom of the six [Applause] and now one and two pretty impressive we haven't seen that pitch from him much but he's got a really good feel when he throws it and another [Applause] ball left hand hitter Waits swing and a pop off in foul ground drifts towards it reaches over the wall and he's got it now [Applause] R digging in Hebert Ruiz right through there for a [Applause] strike oh one down and that one fouled off the Cubbies up big in this one here in the second game of the series headed down the line and that will drop [Applause] foul the go two and that's downstairs and [Applause] outside and here it comes that misses the Zone the count now two and two one out and a runner at second go down looking and now for Washington Lane Thomas ground ball right side he it himself to the bag and that'll do [Applause] it new inning getting started now here is Nolan jonesan here the right hater back to work and that one hammered robless raging back towards the wall pulls it in and the warning TR and next is the designated hitter bashet that one off the bad part of the bat just a Lazy Fly ball and maette is retired and there's two away that's a tough play for the infielder ranging back into the Outfield there's part of them that's saying hey where you at outfielder call me off but he stayed focused and made a nice catch right there two outs Bas is empty and here is O'Neal Cruz [Applause] top of the zone for a called [Applause] strike right-handed relever right side hard hit slings to First third out that ends the frame [Applause] bottom of the Seven Up Now for Washington ilaro Vargas as he turns on the rubber here with that good live arm delivers pulls that one foul [Applause] outside low and one and one the wi of the pitch just miss rander kick deals lace down the line put the extra bases and that's going to get into the corner and that's a lead off double showed some really nice patience in that it into a good count anytime you rip a line drive the other way feel really good about what you did at the plate you trusted your hands you let the ball travel and you took the ball straight to it that's great work right there so man aboard here's Victor roblas and that's off the Inside Edge and that is ball one runner in scoring position nobody out here at the bottom of the seven [Applause] and the pitch so a foul ball makes it one and two man it's second swings and misses slider got him for strike three it becomes pretty difficult as a teammate when a struggling like this you don't know if you want to go up and tell him to keep swinging it or give him his space what exactly he needs but right now it's clearly a struggle for him and you're just hoping that somehow some way it'll click and he can get out of this as quickly as possible Abrams stands in now and watches strike one I really like how he's been attacking hitters early in at bats he's thrown strikes on the first pitch to over 70% of the guys he's faced in this one the short stop takes the ball on a strike the pitch just missed one straight and the right-hander [Applause] deals and it's foul away Vargas the runner at second with one away inside ball four oh he's starting to look a little gas to me and we'll see if they go to the bll next to hit for the NS Stone Garrett over for three with two strikeouts and a ground out [Applause] and now time is called as we'll get a visit to the mound two relievers just got up to throw out there in the bullpen and first offering is fouled off Runners at first and second with one [Applause] gone and a pop off right side foul territory and there's two down up next for the Nationals the first baseman Joey so first and second with two outs Joey manessis digging in for the Nationals one for [Applause] three right through there for a strike it really looks like these hitters have been in between with their timing today good fast excellent slider but they've not been able to commit to one velocity and stay there strike two oh two [Applause] kicks and up and in down one and two two on two outs and they'll do it again [Applause] two outs couple of base runners at first and second on the ground to the [Applause] left throws the first in time that ends the frame welcome back and a new arm of the m to start the eight Tanner rainy I think out of when are onore just doesn't the it he's got to find a way because these BS count the same for stat obviously regardless of the score Dan B Swanson getting ready to hit and the pitch the short stop takes the ball movement in the bullpen Jordan WAMS looks to be getting ready for Dave Martinez and there's the [Applause] strike here's a one-1 swing and a miss one and two at the belt and fires and downstairs two kicks and fires chase that time the guy the pl could recognize slider out of the hand didn't stay in the tunnel very long in terms of depth and perception he knew right away it was an off speed pitch and it's through for a hit so a runner aboard to start the inning and next for the Cubs Wilson contras 0 for three with two fly outs and a ground out bottom of the zone and a called strike and the righty deals inside just missed that two seam fast ball is usually coupled with a slider away and when a hitter's conscious of the pitch in it's hard for him to cover middle away and that's where a pitcher can really finish off that batter righty delivers in the air pretty deep out to center field has a beat on it he's got it oh he throws it away the Le number 25 Byron man it first and up next next for Chicago Byron buckon 0 for three with two strikeouts and a fly out swings through that one out the front that time strike one is so critical in in Bat like this with a real threat at the plate looking to do damage the Cubs up big in this one we're in the top of the eighth swings through that one love to see it power versus Power right there now way inside here comes a pitch on its way to the corner sizes this one up and he makes the catch just pulled off of it a little bit right there that front shoulder coming open instead of staying closed if he does that he's going to be able to go up the middle the other way with some Authority instead of a fly out to left back to the top of the lineup here's Trey Turner [Applause] and first off ring is fouled off outside Swanson leads off first with two down to the inning so a foul ball makes it one and two and he deals swaging a miss the velocity blasted it right past him back here in Nationals Park and now it's Joey Gall Joey green still out there to pitch the eigh and working with a big lead he's been excellent really on his game in this one and at this point he wants to finish what he started right down to shoot and that is strike one is there a debate to be had about shutting him down maybe to preserve some bullets given the score absolutely when you consider over the course of a long season guys's putting a lot of stress on that elbow on that shoulder but you also have to pry the ball out of a hand of a guy like this because he's so competitive inside just missed and there's one down so taking in Luis Garcia a good job with disrupting The Hitter timing with the mix of pitches and changing speeds you want to keep that front foot inconsistent for the batter their swings are hesitant and that's exactly what you want on the mount misses outside and it's w to know this lineup is having a tough time finding a good Rhythm at the plate their swings are disjointed which tells me they're having issues with pitch recognition lifted in the air now the left side and that'll fall for a base hit so man aboard now with one away here's the catcher ber Ru R manager out of the Dugout now and it looks like we'll see a change on the [Applause] mound here comes the new arm for the CBS JoJo Romero and compared to a lot of other believer strikeouts have not been a big weapon for him this year so the defense should be active right through there for a strike the Nationals with a lot of ground to make up here the bottom half of the eighth inning foul ball there and one and two one and two the pitch missed with a change up two and two he's trying to stay down in the zone but the hitter just will not Chase now back in a two two count he's going to have to go to something else to get him out foul ball another two two upcoming hit on the ground might be two on a second they get one and that's quick work out of the pen one batter two outs inning over this one pretty well decided at this point ninth inning coming up it's the Cubs nine and the Nets one all set for the start of the unit rapael de's up to hit [Applause] Rafael and a pitch and a foul ball next offering is in for a strike good pitch to hit on a te up in the zone I think he was looking for something else right there kicks andand deal inside almost got him straighten him up a little bit left hand batter waights bouns it off still one and two [Applause] the pitch and another [Applause] ball and there's the ball [Applause] worm burner into the outfield for a knock man aboard on the lead off [Applause] single so up now for Chicago Mike Trout Outfield playing very deep not anything over their heads ball for a strike it's and one nobody out runner at first comes up empty he normally does damage on that pitch in that location just to swing and a miss there I don't think he want to throw it again though oh and two now and a foul ball he stays alive o he missed a mistake right there [Applause] here's a swing and a drive left field and he knew [Applause] it that'll fire up the Dugout and they add a pair it's 111 and their fifth home run of the game some things in this sport are contagious Boo and right now for this team clearly it's the long ball looks like this guy was looking out over the plate but he was ready to turn on the inside fast ball so direct to the pitch absolutely blasted out of this ballpark Nolan Jones will hit next that's Off the Mark Ball one one and0 [Applause] delivers outside he's getting a little frustrated out there on the mound getting hit around a little bit let's see if he can settle himself down and it is two and one two and one nobody on nobody out here at the top of the N [Applause] him out looking frustrating end to the atat for the hitter and I'm sure that's going to sit on him for a little while you want to be ready to hit the fast ball sometimes you can overthink things and I think that was the case right there so now here's the DH bul bashet that one fouled off y one to the right side on to First and maette is retired now third O'Neal now at the plate O'Neal Cruz this kid picked up in a trade a lot was offered and given to get him but he's got a real high ceiling in the air to left down the line and it gets into the corner but it's foul two down good eye right [Applause] there the pitch so the foul ball makes it one and two two down nobody on here in this second game of the series that one missed swings through it for the K couldn't catch up to the heater but two come across to score in the inning courtesy of this two-run Homer on now to the bottom of inning number nine you're watching Major League Baseball on the show of the inn and now the DH Lane Thomas th as the Lefty gets to work a swing and a miss and that strike one this guy's got such a good Sinker as a hitter you've got to look up in the zone if you look down you're going to be chasing stuff in the dirt here comes the 01 and a foul [Applause] ball here's the 02 ball one there and now the left pitch in the dirt and it's two and two cuts and misses it's a strike out he came out of his mechanics there typically likes to shoot the ball the other way but that time little anxious here's the third baseman ilaro Vargas Light Drive BAS hereit so they get a man a board with a one out single no waiting around right there he was ready to swing it on the first pitch just a solid swing right there CAU and ripped into the out for the base hit those always feel great and now it's Victor robless up to hit oh0 for three with two fly outs and a strike out first pitch doesn't find the zone Vargas leads off first with one [Applause] away here's a one one hey stays alive and now the count is even good slider down and in can be so hard to on playing with you're better off taking that [Applause] pitch and here it comes that one just misses Full Count now really good take especially with two [Applause] strikes pay off Pitch ground ball left side could be two over to Turner for one and that do it they are champions of the National League Central Division but when you start the season your goal is to win that Division and win it as convincingly and as early as possible well they did just that so the good thing they'll be able to rest some players if You' got some players banged up they'll be able to bounce back the challenging part is keeping everybody sharp and fresh for playoff baseball an 111 final for Chris Singleton and our entire crew John sh saying so long that's here now is our final line score this afternoon first for the Victorious Chicago Cubs 11 runs on 11 hits no errors they left five Runners on Bay for the Nationals one run eight hits one error they left 10 Runners on Bay time of the ball game hours