Cubs Overpower Nationals 11-5 in Series Opener at Wrigley

CHICAGO (Sept. 5, 2025) - Dansby Swanson ignited a four-homer barrage as the Chicago Cubs routed the Washington Nationals 11-5 at Wrigley Field, snapping Washington’s three-game win streak and handing Chicago its fifth victory in seven games.

Nut Graf: Swanson’s three-run homer capped a five-run first inning that paved the way for an offensive onslaught, underscoring the Cubs’ resurgence in the NL Wild Card hunt and halting the Nationals’ late-season momentum.

Early Offensive Explosion

• First Inning:
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered a sacrifice fly to right field.
  • Nico Hoerner followed with an RBI double.
  • Swanson launched a 424-foot three-run homer to center, making it 5-0.

Key Performances

• Cubs Homers:
  • Dansby Swanson (21) - three-run, first inning
  • Reese McGuire (7) - solo, second inning
  • Nico Hoerner (5) - solo, sixth inning
  • Ian Happ (19) - solo, eighth inning
• Nationals Response:
  • Luis Garcia Jr. (12) - two-run homer, fourth inning
  • Daylen Lile - two RBIs and two triples

Pitching and Defense

• Winning Pitcher: Javier Assad (2-1) yielded four earned runs over 5⅓ innings with four strikeouts.
• Losing Pitcher: Jake Irvin (8-11) surrendered seven first-inning runs in 3⅓ innings.
• Supporting Cast:
  • Crow-Armstrong went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a stolen base.
  • Hoerner finished with two hits, two runs and an RBI.

What’s Next

• Nationals: RHP Brad Lord (4-8, 4.34 ERA)
• Cubs: LHP Matthew Boyd (12-7, 2.94 ERA) Game two of the series is set for Saturday afternoon at Wrigley.