GAME 1- Nationals Park
Maddux vs Zimmermann
Nats 3, Cubs 0
Fans came expecting a tight pitcher’s duel for the opener and they got exactly what they were expecting. Greg Maddux (2ER / 7IP) was real sharp. His opposing number, Jordan Zimmerman was spectacular. Young Zimmerman was the story today tossing a 3 hit shutout while fanning 11 and not walking a single solitary batter. Solo runs in the 3rd, 7th and 8th gave “Zim” the margin for victory. Ian Desmond’s 353 foot solo blast off of Maddux in the 7th was the only long ball of the game. Chicago didn’t post a hit until Wilkerson singled with one out in the 6th. Zimmermann got stronger as the game went on fanning 2 in the 8th and getting Chicago to go 3 up, 3 down in the 9th.
GAME 2
Bielecki vs Strasburg
Nats 5, Cubs 0
Washington jumped out to a 4-0 lead after 3 innings of play off of Mike Bielecki and never looked back. Flamethrower Stephen Strasburg was dominant fanning 11 in 6 innings of shutout ball. After throwing 105 pitches this early in the season he was lifted and the pen did the rest of the work. Ian Desmond hit his 2nd homer in as many days. Denard Span hit his first while going 3 for 5. Both Nats combined for 5 of the team’s 7 hits. For the second day in a row the Cubbies managed just 3 hits. Manager Nelson was not one bit happy with his anemic offense.
GAME 3 – Wrigley Field
Roark vs Sutcliffe
Nationals 4, Cubs 2 (10 inn)
Call this “the one that got away”. With Washington up 2-0 after 5, and the anemic Cub offense held scoreless for 23 consecutive innings since the start of the season, the Northsiders rallied for 2 runs in the bottom of the 6th to tie the game. Jerome Walton’s one out 2 run single posted the first 2 runs of the season for the Cubs. Neither team would score in regulation and the game went to extras. In the top of the 10th Span led off with a single, but was caught trying to steal 2nd. Rendon worked out a walk, then moved to second on Salazar’s error at third. After Adam LaRoche lined out to second Cub reliever Jeff Pico looked to be out of trouble. Instead he faced pinch hitter Bryce Harper who lined a single just past the diving Mark Grace to score both base runners and put the Nats up by 2. Rafael Soriano was brought on to get the save in the bottom of the 10th. Instead of making it easy, Soriano gave up back to back hits to Salazar and Berryhill. He the got pinch hitter Wilkerson and Walton to strike out. When Shawon Dunston popped out in foul ground to the catcher the game was over and the Nats ran their record to 3-0.
GAME 4
Fister vs Sanderson
Nats 11, Cubs 7 (10 inn)
A great see-saw battle where for the the second day in a row the Cubbies rallied back from deficits to force extra innings. Then in the top of the 10th it all came crashing down as the Nats broke out for 4 unanswered runs to leave the Wrigley crowd in shock. The Nats roughed up Cub reliever Calvin Schiraldi for all 4 runs. The dagger came off the bat of Anthony Rendon in the form of a 370 foot shot to left center. Bleacher Bums ceremonially tossed the ball back onto the field and tossed their beer over the edge. For good measure Adam LaRoche doubled home Jayson Werth a couple of batters later to put the game firmly out of reach. Soriano had another interesting 10th, but once again he did his job and closed out the Cubs (non-save situation). The Nats, who had a similar start in KOD20, swept the series with the final 2 games being tight battles that could have gone in either direction.
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