For the third straight game the Nationals have claimed victory by only one run against the Chicago Cubs with a Wednesday night 5-4 win at Nationals Park. Washington claims the series with the win and will look to completely sweep the Cubs in the final game of the four game series on Thursday night.
The longball played a large role in the game for both teams, but it was a little small ball that finally put the game in the Nationals favor. Danny Espinosa and Ryan Zimmerman both hit two-run home runs for the Nationals off Randy Wells, but the Cubs answered back with two 2-run shots of their own, one from Carlos Pena and the other Aramis Ramirez. Tom Gorzelanny was on the mound for the Nationals for six innings and gave up four runs on seven hits while striking out six. Espinosa also put on a defense clinic with spectacular play in the field.
Then in the bottom of the seventh with the score tied 4-4, catcher Wilson Ramos hit a sac bunt that scored Michael Morse from third to give the Nats the one run advantage. The Nationals bullpen put the game safely in the hands of closer Drew Storen in the ninth and there he earned his 22nd save of the season.
Yet another exciting close win for Washington who are finding ways to win. The only dark spot on the excitement of Wednesday night was the performance of right fielder Jayson Werth who went 0-for-4 with a strikeout and left four men on base. In the midst of the worst slump of his career he looked lost and baffled and clearly has no clear direction or idea on how to be raising his .218 average.
The Nationals move to two games over .500 with a 45-43 record and are threatening the third place in the NL East New York Mets.