>

Cody Bellinger's Homer Caps 7-Run Second Inning As Cubs Take Series Opener From Nationals

Cubs Win Eighth Straight

Bellinger's Blast Lifts Chicago To 7-6 Victory

Cody Bellinger's two-run homer capped a seven-run second inning as the Chicago Cubs took the series opener from the Washington Nationals 7-6 on Friday night.

The win was the Cubs' eighth straight and moved them to 22-15 on the season.

The Nationals dropped to 15-25 and have lost four straight.

Bellinger's Big Night

Bellinger finished the night 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

His homer was his fifth of the season.

He also singled in a run in the fourth inning.

Cubs' Offense Explodes

The Cubs' offense came alive in the second inning.

• Patrick Wisdom led off the inning with a double.
• Ian Happ singled home Wisdom.
• Seiya Suzuki walked to load the bases.
• Nico Hoerner singled in two runs.
• Bellinger followed with his two-run homer.
• Willson Contreras singled in Hoerner to make it 7-0.

The Nationals got two runs back in the third inning on a two-run homer by Juan Soto.

They added another run in the fifth on a solo homer by Yadiel Hernandez.

Hendricks Gets The Win

Kyle Hendricks (4-3) got the win for the Cubs.

He allowed three runs on six hits in five innings.

Tanner Rainey (1-2) took the loss for the Nationals.

He allowed seven runs on eight hits in 1 2/3 innings.

Up Next

The Cubs and Nationals will continue their series on Saturday.

Justin Steele (3-2) will start for the Cubs.

Paolo Espino (0-2) will start for the Nationals.