Picture: The Canadian Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Nico Hoerner homered to ignite a four-run rally within the seventh inning that despatched the Chicago Cubs over power-hitting rookie Joey Meneses and the Washington Nationals 4-2 Wednesday.

Hoerner’s seventh dwelling run ended a shutout bid by Nationals starter Josiah Grey and enabled the Cubs to earn simply their second win in 51 video games wherein they trailed getting into the seventh.

The Cubs have received 4 of six and subsequent play Thursday within the Subject of Goals sport in Iowa in opposition to Cincinnati.

Meneses homered in his third straight sport for the Nationals, who’ve misplaced seven of eight.

The 30-year-old Meneses, who made his main league debut on Aug. 2, turned the primary participant in Nationals franchise historical past to homer 4 occasions in his first seven video games. Danny Espinosa and Geoff Blum every hit three homers of their first seven profession MLB video games.

Meneses hit a solo dwelling run within the sixth. The primary baseman/outfielder additionally singled and is hitting .348 within the majors.

Grey had a 2-0 lead and had permitted 5 hits earlier than Hoerner homered. Grey was puled after Yan Gomes singled.

Nick Madrigal hit a single off reliever Steve Cishek (1-3), and a throwing error by heart fielder Victor Robles enabled two runners to maneuver into scoring place.

Rafael Ortega adopted with a sacrifice fly off Cishek, and Ian Happ capped the comeback with an RBI single off Carl Edwards Jr.

Michael Rucker (1-1) pitched a scoreless seventh to earn his first main league win. Rowan Wick struck out Maikel Franco with the tying run at first to finish the eighth and earned his sixth save in eight alternatives.

A diving catch by Robles within the fifth helped maintain the Nationals forward.

The Nationals took a 1-0 lead with two out within the third when Ortega made an unsuccessful diving try of a line drive by Cesar Hernandez that skipped previous him in heart for a double to attain Tres Barrera from first.

Cubs left-hander Justin Steele was victimized by the shortage of help regardless of putting out 9 and strolling none in six innings. He has allowed two earned runs whereas putting out 25 and strolling two in his final three begins.

Steele struck out Barrera with the bases loaded to finish the fourth.

ROSS WANTS MORE INTERNATIONAL GAMES

Cubs supervisor David Ross performed within the Australian Baseball League and in Mexico Metropolis as a minor leaguer with the Dodgers, and was an announcer with ESPN for the 2019 MLB Little League Traditional

Ross wish to take part in a sequence at Japan, the place the Cubs opened the 2000 season in opposition to the Mets, as effectively at Puerto Rico and Cuba.

“It touches on the variety of our sport,” Ross mentioned.

STRATEGY ON SOTO

Friday’s sequence opener in opposition to the Padres marks the return of All-Star RF Juan Soto and 1B Josh Bell to Nationals Park since they had been traded for six gamers Aug. 2. Nationals supervisor Dave Martinez, who managed Soto for 4 1/2 seasons, joked about his plans to pitch to Soto.

“Have been’e going to stroll him,” Martinez mentioned. “We’ll provide you with a sport plan. He’s acquired the most effective eyes I’ve seen for a younger hitter within the main leagues.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Nationals: DH Nelson Cruz (proper shoulder soreness) appeared as a pinch-hitter within the eighth and singled. … RHP Tyler Clippard (groin pressure) threw two scoreless innings for Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday evening and be activated as quickly as Friday, Martinez mentioned. … RHP Erick Fedde (proper shoulder irritation) threw an prolonged bullpen session Tuesday and can throw a simulated sport subsequent week with the likelihood he may return to the rotation. … RHP Will Harris (thoracic outlet syndrome) suffered a groin harm throughout his rehab project and can be sidelined indefinitely, Martinez mentioned.

UP NEXT

The Nationals will ship RHP Cory Abbott (0-1, 5.68) to the mound Friday in opposition to the Padres. Abbott allowed seven runs in 3 2/3 innings in a 13-1 loss to the Phillies Sunday.

The Cubs will begin LHP Drew Smyly (4-6, 3.97) Thursday in opposition to the Reds within the Subject of Goals sport at Dyersville, Iowa. Smyly pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings Saturday in opposition to the Marlins.

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