The Chicago Cubs<\/a> lose two out of three games to drop the series against the Washington Nationals<\/a> after the Nationals put up five runs in the 9th inning in Game 3.<\/p>\n The Cubs jumped out to a 3-1 lead entering the top of the ninth inning. The Cubs offense was fueled by two solo homers from Carson Kelly<\/a>. In the ninth, Cubs Closer Daniel Palencia<\/a> (now 1-6) allowed a leadoff homer to Robert Hassell III,<\/a> an infield hit to CJ Abrams<\/a>, and a walk to James Wood<\/a> before a pinch-hitting Josh Bell<\/a> delivered a monstrous three-run homer, giving the Nationals the 5-3 lead. They would extend their lead via a Daylen Lile<\/a> triple and a Brady House<\/a> sacrifice fly, making it a 6-3 ball game.<\/p>\n Carson Kelly launched two homers, carrying the Cubs offense. The first came with an exit velocity of 106.4 mph, and the second, a towering 399-foot long ball. This capped off a productive game from the cleanup spot.<\/p>\n Colin Rea<\/a> came in for Drew Pomeranz<\/a> after he pitched one inning. Rea delivered 5 1\/3 innings, allowed one run, and notched six strikeouts in an impressive relief outing.<\/p>\n Closer Daniel Palencia couldn’t finish the job. He had five earned runs and gave up two home runs to propel the Nationals to complete the late-inning comeback.<\/p>\n Outside of Carson Kelly’s two solo homers, the Cubs offense was quiet. The team went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners on base.<\/p>\n Craig Counsell<\/a> continues to stick with Palencia as closer, despite numerous shaky outings. This blown save and injury now certainly raise questions for the Cubs’ late-inning strategy moving forward.<\/p>\n Propelled by clutch offensive performances from Robert Hassell III, CJ Abrams, and Josh Bell, the Nationals pulled off the huge comeback, making their record 58-84. Bell had the biggest swing of the game, launching a three-run homer to center field to give the Nationals the lead.<\/p>\n After Carson Kelly’s second homer, relievers Clayton Beeter<\/a> and Jose A. Ferrer<\/a> held the Cubs scoreless the rest of the way, paving the road for the offense to come alive in the ninth. Beeter notched three strikeouts in 1 1\/3 innings of work.<\/p>\n Before the ninth-inning comeback, Washington only managed one run and just a few hits. They struggled to get going against Colin Rea’s strong 5 1\/3 innings of relief. Rea struck out six and allowed only three hits.<\/p>\n Nationals starter Andrew Alvarez<\/a> wasn’t sharp, giving up two early runs and exiting before the 5th inning. The Nationals bullpen had to step up as a result of Alvarez’s rough start.<\/p>\n The Nationals used a great balance of their youngsters and veterans to steal a game they were just six outs away from losing. The Cubs, however, retain their hold on the top NL Wild Card spot, as they chase the Milwaukee Brewers<\/a> for the top spot in the NL Central.<\/p>\n The Cubs will travel to Georgia to take on the Atlanta Braves<\/a> on September 8 at 7:15 EDT. The Cubs will toss Shota Imanaga<\/a>, and the Braves will throw Bryce Elder<\/a>. The Nationals will travel to Florida to take on the Miami Marlins<\/a> in a divisional matchup on September 8 at 6:40 EDT. The Nationals will bring out Cade Cavalli<\/a>, and the Marlins will opt for Janson Junk <\/a>for the start.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Main Photo:Nationals \u2013 Cubs Game Summary<\/h3>\n
What Went Right for the Cubs<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Carson Kelly Offensive Output<\/h4>\n
Colin Rea’s Relief Work<\/h4>\n
What Went Wrong for the Cubs<\/h3>\n
Bullpen Collapse<\/h4>\n
Missed Offensive Opportunities<\/h4>\n
Managerial Dilemma<\/h4>\n
What Went Right for the Nationals<\/h3>\n
Clutch Hitting in the 9th<\/h4>\n
Bullpen Kept the Game Close<\/h4>\n
What Went Wrong for the Nationals<\/h3>\n
Nonexistent Offense for Eight Innings<\/h4>\n
Starting Pitching Was Shaky<\/h4>\n
Quick Hits<\/h3>\n
Looking Ahead<\/h3>\n
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>