Washington Nationals: Takeaways From Huge Win Over Cubs

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Jun 15, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth (28) hits a single against the Chicago Cubs in the fifth inning at Nationals Park. The Nationals won 5-4 in twelve innings. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Check out our three takeaways from yesterday’s huge 5-4 Washington Nationals win over the Chicago Cubs

Yesterday the Nationals and Cubs squared off for a rubber match of the three game series, and it turned out to be the best game of the Nationals’ season yet. I was fortunate enough to be in attendance at the game, and the atmosphere was truly electric. From the first pitch the fans on both sides were completely engaged in the game, and there was a playoff-like atmosphere throughout the ballpark through all 12 innings.

After both starters, Stephen Strasburg and Jason Hammel, went seven great innings, the game turned into a wild battle of the bullpens tied at 1-1.

The Nationals battled back from behind against the Cubs’ relievers twice, in the ninth and 12th innings, and eventually won the game on a Jayson Werth walk off single. Nationals Park was the loudest I have heard it in any game I have been to in my entire life, and there was an energy in the park I have never felt before.

Before the Washington Nationals start their series with the San Diego Padres at 10:10 p.m. ET(MASN), check out my three takeaways from the 5-4 walk-off win.

Next: Both Starting Pitchers Dominate

Jun 15, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) pitches against the Chicago Cubs in the fourth inning at Nationals Park. The Nationals won 5-4 in twelve innings. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Both Starting Pitchers Dominate

In the rubber mach of a series between two great teams you could not have asked for much better of a pitching matchup then we had on Wednesday afternoon. Stephen Strasburg and Jason Hammel have both had great success this season, and that dominance continued on Wednesday. Both pitchers got off to rough starts — Strasburg giving up a leadoff homer, and Hammel letting a run score in the first on a wild pitch — but they both settled into the game in a big way.

Hammel at one point in the game retired 13 Nationals batters in a row, and the Nats struggled to even make solid contact off of him all day long. Strasburg did not have his best fastball command, but as he has done all year, the right-hander battled and finished with a great outing.

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Although it was not the dominant, double-digit strikeout Strasburg we have become accustomed to seeing, he once again showed how he can be a great pitcher in many ways. Stras worked his way out of a big jam right from the get go in the first inning, striking out the Cubs’ two big sluggers Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo. Again the Nationals big right-hander ran into trouble in the third, but got Jayson Heyward to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Strasburg’s final inning may have been his most impressive of the year. With a runner on second with two outs, he emptied the tank with everything he had, striking out Addison Russell on a 97mph fastball on his 105th pitch of the day.

It may get lost in this wild back and forth 12-inning game, but both starting pitchers had outstanding days, as was a common theme in this series. If these two teams meet in the playoffs, the pitching matchups may be some of the best we have seen in years.

Next: Nationals Show Resilience Against Cubs 'Pen

Jun 15, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth (28) hits the game-winning single against the Chicago Cubs in the twelfth inning at Nationals Park. The Nationals won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Nationals Show Resilience Against Cubs ‘Pen

Last season, clutch hitting was not something the Nationals excelled at. They have came up short in big situations too many times, and left many question marks about what could have been. Wednesday the Nats showed how much fight they have as a team, and how they are never out of a game.

After the Cubs took a 2-1 lead in the top of the ninth inning on an Anthony Rizzo two-run homer, things did not look great for the home team. Hector Rondon came into the game, having only blown one save on the season, looking to close out the Nats. Bryce Harper led off the inning with a fantastic at bat, working a walk to put the leadoff runner on base. After retiring the next two batters Wilson Ramos, as he as done all season long, came up huge lacing his game tying RBI single to left field making it 3-3.

When Ramos got this huge game tying hit, it is single loudest moment I can remember experiencing at Nationals Park. The sellout home crowd was going crazy and so was the Nationals dugout. You could sense the momentum swing and the Nats were right back in the game.

Once again the Nationals’ fight was put to the test in the 12th inning. After giving up the lead in the top half, the first batter Anthony Rendon struck out, and was ejected by home plate umpire Bob Davidson. The stadium turned from ecstatic Nats fan to chants of “Lets Go Cubbies” breaking out. The crowd got into it again as Danny Espinosa reached base on a hit by pitch and stole second. Michael Taylor came up and delivered probably his biggest hit as a National to date, roping and RBI single and tying the game yet again at 4-4.

Nationals Park was on its feet and Jayson Werth sent the fans home happy with a walk-off single to right field. Although it is still early on in the year, the Nationals have shown very impressive resilience as a club. They are never out of a game and always fight till the last out. Some of this may be attributed to there new manager, Dusty Baker, and his passion and competitive fire for the game. Whatever it is, the Nats are showing that when you play them, you have to battle until the final out.

Next: Nationals Make A Big Statement

Jun 15, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth (28) celebrates with Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) after hitting the game-winning single against the Chicago Cubs in the twelfth inning at Nationals Park. The Nationals won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Nationals Make A Big Statement

After getting swept in Chicago in early May, this three game set was important to the Nationals for many reasons, and they played some great baseball. Starting with Max Scherzer Monday night, and going all the way to Jayson Werth’s walk off on Wednesday night, the Nats played about as well as they can against an outstanding Chicago Cubs baseball team.

Wednesday afternoon’s win made a big statement that the Nationals can not only compete and beat the Cubs, but they are clearly among the elite teams in Major League Baseball. When you are able to come back, against a very respectable bullpen like that, it shows there is some kind of special fight in this team that is never going to go away.

After Anthony Rendon was ejected, the Cubs had taken all the momentum, but the Nationals got it right back as Danny Espinosa got on base and made things happen. Danny continues to come up big and find different ways to contribute to the ball club every single game.

Wilson Ramos, Michael Taylor, and Jayson Werth all delivered huge hits in the clutch, which is just not something we are used to seeing over the past few years. The starting pitching was also outstanding, and the Nationals showed in this series with the Cubs, their starters can match up with anybody and have a great shot.

Next: Washington Nationals Recap: Nats Beat Cubs on Jayson Werth Walk-off in the 12th

Yes, it is still only the middle of June, but if this series is a playoff preview, we look to be in for an oustanding series. With now a 5- game lead over the New York Mets, and only five games back of the Cubs for the best record in baseball, the Nationals will try to take this momentum to the West Coast and keep it going this weekend in San Diego.

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