Hello and welcome to another addition of 'Live Blogging On Shish On Baseball'. Tonight on the Home Page of paulshishkoffjr.com, it is the Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals. The Cubs come into tonight's with a record of 39-37. While the Nationals come in with a record of 45-31.

The Cubs escaped last night's game by defeating the Nationals 5-4. The North Siders had a 5-0 lead going into the Bottom of the 9th Inning. The Nationals rallied for four runs but the inning and the game ended when Wade Davis struck out Ryan Zimmerman.

Tonight's pitching matchup is a couple of right-handed Cy Young Award Winners. The Cubs will throw Jake Arrieta to the mound, while Max Scherzer will start for the Nationals.

It is the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals, coming up shortly.


Location: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

​Starting Lineups:
Chicago Cubs (39-37):
1. Anthony Rizzo 1B
2. Tommy La Stella 2B
3. Ian Happ CF
4. Kris Bryant RF
5. Miguel Montero C
6. Jon Jay LF
7. Javier Baez SS
8. Jake Arrieta P
9. Jeimer Candelario 3B
SP: Jake Arrieta (RHP) (7-5, 4.36 ERA, 89 Ks)

Washington Nationals (45-31):
1. Trea Turner SS
2. Brian Goodwin LF
3. Bryce Harper RF
4. Ryan Zimmerman 1B
5. Daniel Murphy 2B
6. Anthony Rendon 3B
7. Matt Wieters C
8. Michael A. Taylor CF
9. Max Scherzer P
SP: Max Scherzer (RHP) (8-5, 2.09 ERA, 145 Ks)

Top of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Rizzo 
2. La Stella 
3. Happ
Max Scherzer is pitching for the Nationals. 
​First pitch at 7:05 p.m. EDT.
Rizzo gets hit by a pitch. Runner on 1st. 
La Stella gets called out on strikes. 1 Out.
Happ pops out to Michael Taylor.  2 Outs.
Bryant hits an RBI-Triple.  Rizzo scores.  Runner on 3rd.  CHC 1, WSH 0
​Montero pops out to Scherzer.  3 Outs.
Cubs left Bryant stranded on third base. 

Middle of 1st Inning:
CHC 1, WSH 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Turner
2. Goodwin 
3. Harper
Jake Arrieta is starting as the Cubs pitcher. 
Turner hits an infield single to second base. Runner on 1st. 
Turner steals second base. Runner on 2nd. 
Turner steals third base.  No throw by Montero.  Runner on 3rd. 
Goodwin hits an RBI-Infield Single to first base. Turner scores.  Runner on 1st. CHC 1, WSH 1
​Harper flies out to Bryant. 1 Out.
Zimmerman strikes out swinging. 2 Outs.
Murphy draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st and 2nd. 
Rendon grounds into a fielder's choice to Candelario.  Goodwin is out at third. 3 Outs.
Nationals leave runners on base stranded. 

End of 1st Inning:
CHC 1, WSH 1

Top of 2nd Inning:
6. Jay 
7. Baez
8. Arrieta
​Scherzer at 25 pitches.
Jay pops out to Turner. 1 Out.
Baez flies out to Taylor. 2 Outs.
Arrieta flies out to Goodwin. 3 Outs.
Cubs go down 1-2-3, in their half of 2nd Inning.

Middle of 2nd Inning:
CHC 1, WSH 1

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
7. Wieters 
8. Taylor
9. Scherzer
Wieters lined out to Baez. 1 Out.
Taylor lines out to Happ. 2 Outs.
Scherzer flies out to Bryant. 3 Outs.
Nationals go down 1-2-3, in their half of 2nd Inning.

End of 2nd Inning:
CHC 1, WSH 1

Top of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
9. Candelario 
1. Rizzo 
2. La Stella 
​​Candelario strikes out swinging. 1 Out.
Rizzo flies out to Goodwin. 2 Outs.
La Stella doubles to right center field. Runner on 2nd. 
Happ strikes out swinging. 3 Outs.
Cubs left La Stella on second. 

Middle of 3rd Inning:
CHC 1, WSH 1

Bottom of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
1. Turner
2. Goodwin
3. Harper
​Turner draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
Turner steals second base.  3rd stolen base tonight. Runner on 2nd.
Goodwin strikes out swinging. 1 Out.
Harper lines out to Jay. 2 Outs.
Turner steals third base. Turner now has four stolen bases tonight. Runner on 3rd.
Zimmerman draws a base on balls. Runners on 1st and 3rd. 
Arrieta now has 60 pitches. 
Coaches' visit to the mound. 
Murphy reaches on an error by La Stella. Turner scores.  Rizzo throws out Zimmerman at third. 3 Outs. CHC 1, WSH 2
MANAGER'S CHALLENGE: Joe Maddon challenges call at first, that Murphy is safe at first. 
Call was upheld.  Cubs lose the challenge. 

End of 3rd Inning:
CHC 1, WSH 2

Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Bryant
5. Montero
6. Jay
Bryant strikes out swinging. 1 Out.
Montero lines out to Taylor. 2 Outs.
Scores:
Jay lines out to Murphy. 3 Outs.
Cubs go down 1-2-3, in their half of 4th Inning. 

Middle of 4th Inning:
CHC 1, WSH 2

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Rendon
7. Wieters
8. Taylor
​Rendon singles to left field. Runner on 1st. 
Rendon steals second base. Runner on 2nd.
Wieters gets called out on strikes. 1 Out.
Taylor singles to left field. Runners on 1st and 3rd. 
Taylor steals second base. Runners on 2nd and 3rd.
Scherzer gets an RBI-Infield Single.  Rendon scores. Runners on 1st and 2nd. CHC 1, WSH 3
Taylor steals third, scores on throwing error by Montero.  Scherzer advances to second. CHC 1, WSH 4
​Turner gets called out on strikes. 2 Outs.
Goodwin draws a base on balls. Runners on 1st and 2nd.
Arrieta throws a wild pitch.  Runners advance 90 feet.  Runners on 2nd and 3rd. 
Harper draws a base on balls. Bases Loaded. 
Zimmerman grounds into a 6-4 fielder's choice.  Harper out at second. 3 Outs.
Nationals left the bases loaded stranded. 

End of 4th Inning:
CHC 1, WSH 4

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
7. Baez
8. Arrieta?
9. Candelario
​Baez grounds out to Rendon. 1 Out.
Arrieta flies out to Goodwin. 2 Outs.
Candelario fouls out to Rendon 3 Outs.
Cubs go down 1-2-3, in their half of the 5th Inning.

Middle of 5th Inning:
CHC 1, WSH 4

Bottom of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Murphy
6. Rendon 
7. Wieters
​Murphy singles to right field. Runner on 1st. 
Rendon draws a base on balls. Runners on 1st and 2nd. 
Manager's visit to mound. 
PITCHING CHANGE: Felix Pena (RHP) replaces Jake Arrieta as Cubs pitcher. CHC 1, WSH 4
Arrieta walked 6 batters in tonight's game. 
Wieters forces infield fly rule.  1 Out.
Taylor hits an RBI-double off of right field. Murphy and Rendon scores. Runner on 2nd. CHC 1, WSH 6
​Scherzer singles to center field. Taylor advances to third. Runners on 1st and 3rd. 
Turner flies out to Baez. 2 Outs.
Goodwin draws a base on balls. Bases Loaded. 
Harper strikes out swinging. 3 Outs.
Nationals leave the bases loaded. 

End of 5th Inning:
CHC 1, WSH 6

Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
Rizzo fouls out to Zimmerman. 1 Out.
​La Stella strikes out swinging. 2 Outs.
Happ gets called out on strikes.  3 Outs.
Cubs go down 1-2-3, in their half of 6th Inning.

Middle of 6th Inning:
CHC 1, WSH 6

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
​4. Zimmerman
5. Murphy
6. Rendon
NYY 0, CHW 1, Bot 4
Zimmerman flies out to Bryant. 1 Out.
Murphy flies out to Happ. 2 Outs.
Rendon flies out to Bryant. 3 Outs.
Nationals go down 1-2-3, in their half of the 6th Inning.

End of 6th Inning:
CHC 1, WSH 6

Top of 7th Inning;
Due Up:
4. Bryant
5. Montero
6. Jay
PITCHING CHANGE: Enny Romero (LHP) replaces Max Scherzer as Nationals pitcher. 
Bryant flies out to Taylor. 1 Out.
PINCH-HITTING: Willson Contreras pinch-hitting for Miguel Montero. 
Contreras draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st. 
Jay hits into 4-6-3 double play. 3 Outs. 
Cubs go down 1-2-3, in their half of 7th Inning.

Middle of 7th Inning;
CHC 1, WSH 6

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
7. Wieters
8. Taylor
9. Romero?
SUBSTITUTION: Contreras remains in the game at catcher for Cubs. 
Wieters pops out to Baez. 1 Out.
Taylor pops out to Baez. 2 Outs.
PINCH-HITTING: Wilmer Difo pinch-hitting for Enny Romero. 
Difo flies out to Happ. 3 Outs.
Nationals go down 1-2-3, in their half of 7th Inning.

End of 7th Inning:
CHC 1, WSH 6

Top of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
7. Baez
8. Pena?
9. Candelario
PITCHING CHANGE: Blake Treinen (RHP) replaces Enny Romero as Nationals pitcher.
Baez strikes out swinging. 1 Out. 
​PINCH-HITTING: Addison Russell pinch-hitting for Felix Pena. 
​Russell flies out to Harper. 2 Outs.
Candelario flies out to Taylor. 3 Outs.
Cubs go down 1-2-3, in their half of 8th Inning.

Middle of 8th Inning:
CHC 1, WSH 6

Bottom of 8th Inning:
Due Up: 
1. Turner
2. Goodwin 
3. Harper
PITCHING CHANGE: Hector Rondon (RHP) replaces Felix Pena as Cubs pitcher. 
Turner draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st. 
Goodwin called out on strikes. 1 Out.
Harper grounds into 6-4-3 double play. 3 Outs.
Nationals go down 1-2-3, in their half of 8th Inning.

End of 8th Inning:
CHC 1, WSH 6

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Rizzo 
2. La Stella
3. Happ
​PITCHING CHANGE: Oliver Perez (LHP) replaces Blake Treinen as Nationals pitcher. 
Rizzo grounds out to Perez. 1 Out.
SUBSTITUTION: Albert Almora Jr. pinch-hitting for Tommy La Stella. 
PITCHING CHANGE: Matt Albers (RHP) replaces Oliver Perez as Nationals pitcher. 
Almora grounds out to Rendon. 2 Outs.
Happ flies out to Goodwin. 3 Outs. 
Cubs go down 1-2-3, in their half of 9th Inning. 

Final: 
CHC 1, WSH 6
CHC (39-38) 
WSH (46-31)
W: Scherzer (9-5) 
L: Arrieta (7-6)
PoG: Max Scherzer 6 IP, ER, 6K, 0 BB, 2 H
ToG: 3:10

Final Thoughts: Speed and pitching were the Nationals weapons in tonight's game.  Nationals stole 7 bases in this game.  Scherzer was decent tonight no walks, 2 hits, on 1 earned run, in 6 innings.  As for the Cubs, their inconsitent play continues.  And you begin to wonder if Theo Epstein has something cooking before the trading deadline.

This is Paul Shishkoff, Jr. This has been 'Live Blogging On Shish On Baseball'.  Thanks for visiting this page. 
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