Cubs rally late; Nats' Turner HBP, injured

June 29th, 2017

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals' bullpen has proven time and again that anything is possible against it, regardless of the lead it holds. That was reinforced Thursday against the Cubs.
With two outs in the top of the ninth and the Nationals ahead by two, the Cubs laced together three consecutive hits and three runs to take the lead before threw a scoreless bottom of the ninth inning to seal the 5-4 victory.
"A win's a win -- it doesn't matter how it looks, how we get there," Chicago starter said. "We'll take two of four from a really good team. Hopefully, this can build a little momentum for us."

The Nationals lost more than the game, revealing afterward that shortstop had a broken bone in his right wrist from a HBP in the seventh. Turner was hit by a fastball, but stayed in the game until the top of the ninth when he was replaced by in a double switch. Postgame X-rays revealed the fracture.
The Nationals did not announce a timetable for Turner's return. Braves star Freddie Freeman sustained a similar injury six weeks ago and is expected to begin a rehab assignment this weekend. Washington has 13 weeks remaining in the regular season and holds a 9 1/2-game lead over Atlanta in the National League East.
• Turner to miss an extended period with wrist fracture
The loss marked the Nationals' Majors-leading sixth when entering the ninth with a lead. 
"I just didn't execute," said , who's 3-for-5 in save opportunities this season. "Joe [Ross] threw a great game, and the offense did everything they could to get us out of here with a win, and I came in and didn't do my job. I need to be better. It's getting exhausting, and I'm sure these guys are sick of seeing the same result when I'm out there."
The Nationals claimed the lead in the seventh inning when hit a two-run homer and knocked an RBI single. The lead lasted until 's double scored the tying and winning runs.

"That was a big rally," Jay said of the Cubs' three-run ninth. "We kept the line moving and had some great at-bats there."

The Cubs' success against the Nationals' bullpen spoiled Ross' second quality start in as many outings. The right-hander allowed two runs and struck out seven in 6 2/3 innings. Lester allowed just one run in his six innings and struck out seven.

"We are a really good team now," Nationals manager Dusty Baker said, "but we still need some help."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Man on the run: Turner ran all over the Cubs this series, stealing seven bases and setting a career high with 35 swiped bags for the season Thursday. On Tuesday, the Nationals stole seven bases, including four from Turner, with behind the plate.
Turner stole two more bases Thursday, but the Cubs caught him stealing for the first time in the four-game set when he delayed his steal of third in the first inning, limiting the Nationals to just one run in the frame. also caught speedster stealing second in the fifth inning, stabilizing Washington on the basepaths for the first time this series.

Candy man: The Cubs were without (ankle), but rookie filled in at third, hitting his first Major League home run leading off the seventh for a brief 2-1 lead. Candelario was making his fourth consecutive start since he was called up when (hand) went on the disabled list. The rookie launched an 0-1 pitch from Ross 425 feet to right-center.

"I was trying to throw a fastball inside," Ross said. "It was just left over the middle. He put a good swing on it and put it out to right field. It was a hot day today, so kind of off the bat I knew it was gone."
Candelario was hit by a pitch on the left knee in the ninth. He stayed in the game, but could barely run to second. X-rays were negative and he has a painful contusion.

'Frosh' faces spark Cubs lineup
QUOTABLE
"Obviously, [the Nationals'] starting pitching is outstanding, they have some speed and just like advertised, their bullpen, they're probably going to do something about that. The starting pitching is outstanding, power, speed, good defense. They played really well. We got to their bullpen tonight. I think what we had heard [about them] coming in was pretty much true."
-- Cubs manager Joe Maddon
"[Treinen's] got great stuff, probably the best stuff on the team. So to even see him get hit sometimes, I'm pretty surprised."
-- Ross
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Davis retired the side in the ninth to pick up his 16th save in 16 tries. His 16 consecutive save conversions to begin the season extends the Cubs' franchise record.
BAKER EJECTED
Baker was fired up after struck out in the sixth inning, seeming to believe Raburn fouled the ball off on the final pitch. Baker left the dugout and argued with first-base umpire David Rackley before he was ejected for the first time in his two years with the Nationals.

WHAT'S NEXT
Cubs:Mike Montgomery will make his fifth start on Friday when the Cubs open a three-game series against the Reds. The lefty is coming off a loss to the Marlins in which he gave up three unearned runs in the first inning, then didn't allow another. First pitch will be 6:10 p.m. CT from Great American Ball Park.
Nationals: will look for his first quality start since June 4 when the Nationals begin a three-game series against the Cardinals at 8:15 p.m. ET Friday at Busch Stadium. Washington won the series when the teams met in April.
Watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on MLB.TV.