Dansby Swanson’s Three-Run Homer Leads Chicago Cubs to 11-5 Win Over Washington Nationals: Game Recap & Highlights (Sept. 5, 2025)

Friday, September 5th, 2025

Cubs Power Past Nationals with Four Home Runs in 11-5 Victory

The Chicago Cubs showcased their power at Wrigley Field, launching four home runs to secure an 11-5 win over the Washington Nationals. Dansby Swanson led the charge, blasting a three-run homer in a pivotal first inning that set the tone for the game.

First Inning Surge Fuels Cubs

The Cubs started strong, plating five runs in the opening frame. After Pete Crow-Armstrong’s sacrifice fly and Nico Hoerner’s RBI double brought in the first two runs, Swanson’s three-run shot provided a massive boost, sending the ball deep into the left-center bleachers and electrifying the crowd.

Solo Homers Cement Chicago Lead

Reese McGuire added a solo home run off Nationals starter Jake Irvin in the second inning. Hoerner chipped in with another long ball in the sixth, this time off Shinnosuke Ogasawara. Ian Happ capped off the Cubs’ home run barrage with a solo shot against Konnor Pilkington in the eighth inning. The Cubs never relinquished the lead, notching their fifth win in the last seven games.

Nationals' Offense Tries to Rally

Despite the early Chicago offensive onslaught, the Nationals attempted to fight back. Luis Garcia Jr. hit a two-run home run, while Daylen Lile contributed two RBIs alongside a pair of triples. However, the Nationals’ three-game winning streak came to an end against Chicago’s potent lineup.

Pitching Performances

Cubs starter Javier Assad improved to 2-1 on the season, earning his second straight win. Assad pitched the first 5 1/3 innings, surrendering four runs on just three hits and two walks while striking out four. Jake Irvin (8-11) took the loss for Washington, yielding seven runs on five hits with four walks over 3 1/3 innings.

Key Moments and Stats

The game’s critical turning point arrived with Swanson’s first-inning homer, drawing a thunderous response from the weekday crowd of over 32,000 fans. Crow-Armstrong delivered an efficient day at the plate, collecting two singles, a run, a stolen base, and two RBIs.

Injuries and Lineup Notes

Chicago outfielder Kyle Tucker missed his second consecutive game due to a calf injury. The Cubs remain optimistic about his return to the lineup, possibly as a designated hitter, during the remainder of the weekend series.

Looking Ahead

The series continues as Nationals right-hander Brad Lord (4-8, 4.34 ERA) is scheduled to face Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd (12-7, 2.94 ERA) in Saturday’s afternoon matchup.

In summary

The Chicago Cubs used a combination of early offensive fireworks and consistent home run power to defeat the Washington Nationals 11-5. Key performances from Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, and Javier Assad paved the way, as the Cubs halted the Nationals’ recent win streak and maintained momentum in their playoff push.

MLB Schedules

Today's MLB Games

There are no baseball games today.

Tomorrow's MLB Games

There are no baseball games tomorrow.

Yesterday's MLB Games

There were no baseball games yesterday.