The Washington Nationals' 4-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs was a particularly frustrating one. Not only did the Nationals potentially lose their best hitter to an injury in the seventh inning when Michael Morse left the game, but they also lost the game in annoying fashion. The Nationals had the bases loaded with nobody out in the bottom of the ninth inning, but only came through with one run in the loss.
The Nationals initially took advantage of Carlos Marmol's control issues in the ninth inning. Jonny Gomes walked, Jayson Werth singled and Laynce Nix walked to load the bases. Ian Desmond struck out for the first out, but Wilson Ramos managed a soft single that scored one run. That was all, though, as Brian Bixler struck out and Rick Ankiel flied harmlessly to right field.
The Nationals took a 1-0 lead in this game, but Jordan Zimmermann broke down in the seventh inning, allowing home runs to Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena to allow Chicago to take a 4-1 lead. Washington got one back in the eighth inning before their ninth-inning letdown.
Washington now falls to 56-61 on the season.