>
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.