Swanson, Cubs Power Past Nationals With Four Home Runs in 11-5 Victory

Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Dansby Swanson launched a three-run homer to punctuate a five-run first inning, and the Chicago Cubs slugged their way to an 11-5 win over the Washington Nationals on Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field. The Cubs went deep four times in the game — Swanson’s three-run blast was joined by solo shots from Reese McGuire, Nico Hoerner, and Ian Happ — as Chicago rolled to its fifth win in seven games. Pete Crow-Armstrong set the tone early with a sacrifice fly, and Hoerner followed with an RBI double before Swanson crushed Jake Irvin’s offering into the left-center bleachers, sending the crowd of 32,320 into an early frenzy. McGuire added a homer in the second, Hoerner connected again in the sixth, and Happ capped the scoring with a blast in the eighth. Right-hander Javier Assad (2-1) earned his second straight win, going 5 1/3 innings and allowing four runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four. Irvin (8-11) struggled, tagged for seven runs in 3 1/3 innings, and dropped his fourth consecutive start. The Nationals showed some fight behind Luis Garcia Jr. and rookie Daylen Lile. Garcia drilled a two-run homer — his 12th of the season — in the fourth, while Lile provided two RBI and showcased his speed with a pair of triples. But Washington’s three-game winning streak came to an end.

Crow-Armstrong also delivered a strong day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBI, a run, and a stolen base. Chicago was again without outfielder Kyle Tucker, who missed his second straight game with a calf injury. The club hopes to have him back this weekend, potentially as a designated hitter. Up Next: The series continues Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 1:20 p.m. at Wrigley Field.