Hendricks Stumbles in Loss to Nationals

Ok, yes, Max Scherzer was very good in Monday night’s game. But the Chicago Cubs (43-19) were still in the game in the sixth inning due a home run by Addison Russell that made the score 1-1. Unfortunately for the Cubs, that’s the same inning that the wheels fell off for Kyle Hendricks (4-6, 3.05 ERA).

After giving up three hits, including a lead off home run, a double and RBI single, Max Scherzer executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to advance a runner to third base. That was all for Hendricks. The Washington Nationals (40-24) added another run in the inning to put the finishing touches on their win.

Cubs lose 4-1 (Box Score) on a night where they were held to only two hits.

Stats that mattered

• Scherzer was dominant: 7IP, 1R, 2H, 11Ks, 1HR
• Sixteen. The number of Cubs’ strikeouts in the game.
• Kyle Hendricks lost it in the sixth inning – 5.1IP, 4R, 6H, 4Ks, 1HR

Bottom line

Max Scherzer shut the Cubs down, plain and simple. The Cubs had a chance by tying the game in the sixth inning but Hendricks fell apart immediately thereafter. These games happen and it wasn’t what you’d consider a ‘bad loss.’

Next up

The Cubs and John Lackey will take on the Nationals on Tuesday at 6:05 PM CDT. They’ll be looking to even up the series at one game a piece.