Cubs close out red-hot August with five-game surge

WASHINGTON -- The postseason inches closer to the Cubs after every win they get. With an offense delivering the runs to maintain the win streaks, the confidence to continue playing in October grows.

The North Siders extended their win streak to five games, matching their season high for a third time, and won their fifth straight series with a 5-3 win over the Nationals on Saturday at Nationals Park. The offense delivered yet again in a four-run fifth inning that gave them the runs they needed to hold off Washington, bringing Chicago to four games back from the Braves for the final NL Wild Card spot.

“It means a lot. When you're trailing, every game is that much more important,” said second baseman Nico Hoerner. “But it's an opportunity we can seize. And I'm proud of the resiliency of this group and it's been a long road trip, right here playing some really good baseball, winning close games in different ways. And we got a chance to sweep tomorrow.”

Nationals starter DJ Herz, the Cubs' eighth-round pick in the 2019 Draft before being traded to Washington, held the offense to no hits going into the fifth inning. Even though the Cubs were trailing after four, there was a comfort in the club's ability to claw back.

“It feels good knowing we have a great offense and we’re going through a big moment,” said Cubs starter Javier Assad in Spanish. “It gives you a lot of confidence knowing that the game needs to be close because they can explode at any moment and score runs.”

The infield began the rally with third baseman Isaac Paredes as the opening man again, driving a single to left field to get the Cubs going. First baseman Michael Busch drew a walk, and then second baseman Hoerner followed suit with another single to load the bases for center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Crow-Armstrong brought Paredes to score the first run off a sac fly. The offense then capitalized on a fielding error by Nationals center fielder Jacob Young -- catcher Christian Bethancourt singled to center, and Busch took the opportunity to score and tie the game 2-2. Hoerner then scored on Ian Happ’s fielder’s choice to take the lead.

With two outs, the Cubs took advantage to add one final run in the inning. Dansby Swanson doubled down the left-field line -- knocking his sixth extra-base hit and 11th RBI in the past nine games -- to give the Cubs a fourth run in the inning.

The Nats began to creep up again by scoring a third run off a wild pitch at the bottom of the fifth, but Hoerner delivered the much-needed insurance run, scoring on a throwing error in the seventh inning to secure the victory.

Growing confidence at the plate and heightened energy has translated into the defense that wins games. Crow-Armstrong chased down the single in the sixth inning by Nationals third base rookie José Tena deep into center field. He quickly turned and threw to Hoerner at second in time to nab Tena to keep him off the basepaths.

“Our outfield throwing this year has been awesome,” Hoerner said. “Those tags and close plays are always fun and a big play in that game.”

Bethancourt also came up with another big throw to Swanson in the sixth to catch CJ Abrams stealing second base.

The Cubs finished August with a record of 18-8, and the recent wins have given them the boost of energy they need to continue making an aggressive push for the postseason in the final month of regular season play. They know it will take work, but with key additions to expand the roster in September that could add another enhance the team, it’s possible to achieve the goal.

“I think we've given ourselves a chance to play games in September that count, and that means something,” Counsell said. “It took a really good month and it's going to take another great month, but I'm proud of the guys for putting together a great stretch of baseball and giving ourselves a chance here.”