Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/31/21): Cubs 6, Nationals 3- Kyle Hendricks Still Wearing Cubs Uniform, Winning Ballgames
Even after Friday’s devastating teardown, the Professor, Kyle Hendricks, is still throwing baseballs for the Northsiders. And tonight he led them to a 6-3 victory over the equally demoralized Washington Nationals.
The Cubs got a vintage Hendricks performance over seven innings, with the only run coming on a ball that Ian Happ should have caught off the bat of Yadiel Hernandez in the 1st inning. Rex Brothers ran into some problems in the 8th inning, unable to register an out before newcomer Codi Heuer, who was activated just prior to the game, stopped the bleeding.
On offense, Rafael Ortega and Patrick Wisdom continue to play well and, at this point, are probably the best bats in the lineup outside of Willson Contreras. Ortega scored in the 1st on a Wisdom line drive that was misplayed by Juan Soto. Ortega then homered in the Cubs’ four-run 4th inning after Sergio Alcantara and Andrew Romine each had RBI singles. Jason Heyward added a single to score Wisdom in the top of the 7th.(Box Score)
Why the Cubs Won
Hendricks is still a Cub and he’s still really good at getting outs. The offense did what was needed to provide more than enough scoring to secure the victory.
Key Moment
Already up 3-1, Ortega’s bomb felt like a dagger with Hendricks cruising along against a pretty weak Nats’ lineup.
Stats That Matter
- Hendricks was solid tonight: 7 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 3 K, 1 BB
- Ortega keeps swinging a hot bat: 2-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR, 1 SB
- Wisdom stays hot as well: 2-for-5, 1 R
- Romine shined in his debut: 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B
Bottom Line
It still doesn’t feel right seeing this team without so many players we’ve grown accustomed to watching over the years. But, the Cubs did win tonight without their jettisoned stars, albeit against another team that underwent an aggressive trade deadline selloff.
On Deck
The Cubs and Nationals play the series finale in D.C. tomorrow, as Adbert Alzolay gets the ball for Chicago and Erick Fedde takes the ball for Washington. Game time is 12:05 pm CT, can be seen on Marquee Sports Network and heard on 670 The Score.
