The Cubs had lost two straight to the Nats and needed this win to split the series. They left Washington one game over .500 at 40-39, still just one game behind the Brewers in the N.L. Central.
I’ve had to rewrite the lede to this recap several times, as you might imagine, and I couldn’t be happier to do so.
The Cubs put together a three-run rally in the ninth inning of Thursday afternoon’s game, sparked by guys who generally don’t play much — Jeimer Candelario, Tommy La Stella and Jon Jay — and came from behind to beat the Nationals 5-4 after blowing leads of 1-0 and 2-1, and got a well-earned split in their series.