Jake Irvin works 5 innings as Washington Nationals beat Chicago Cubs 6-3

How the game turned

The Cubs trailed 6-2 when Alex Bregman hit a home run in the 8th, cutting the Nationals' lead to 6-3.

The Washington Nationals put runs on the board in 3 of their 9 innings at bat. The biggest was a 3-run 1st. The staff worked 9 innings and kept the Chicago Cubs scoreless in 7 of them. The Washington Nationals finished with 6 runs and a 3-run margin.

The first turn for the Washington Nationals

The Nationals led 4-2 when Keibert Ruiz hit a two-run home run in the 8th, extending the Nationals' lead to 6-2.

Nationals' bats

Joey Wiemer finished 3-for-3 with 1 run, 1 triple, 1 home run, 3 RBIs, and 1 walk. Keibert Ruiz had 1 hit in 3 at-bats with 1 run, 1 home run, and 3 RBIs. Daylen Lile collected 2 hits across 4 at-bats with 2 runs, 1 double, and 1 walk. Brady House went 2-for-5 with 1 run. 7 batters combined for the Washington Nationals' 11 hits. They also drew 3 walks. 5 hits went for extra bases.

Wiemer finished the game batting 1.000 for the season, with 2 home runs, 4 RBIs and a 3.333 OPS. Cubs hitter Alex Bregman finished 2-for-4 with 2 runs, 2 home runs, and 2 RBIs.

Nationals' pitchers

In 5 innings, Jake Irvin threw 93 pitches, allowing 3 hits and 2 runs, walking 1 and striking out 7. 5 pitchers combined for the Washington Nationals' 9 innings on 133 pitches, allowing 4 hits and 2 walks with 10 strikeouts.

Cubs starter Shota Imanaga worked 5 innings on 82 pitches, allowing 6 hits and 4 runs, walking 2 and striking out 7.

The standings

Through March 29, 2026, the Washington Nationals stood 2-1, 3rd in the division and 1 game back. The Nationals ranked 5th in the league with a .667 winning percentage.