Daylen Lile’s Homer, Brad Lord’s 7 Ks Lift Nationals Over Cubs 2-1 in Chicago – September 6, 2025

Saturday, September 6th, 2025

Washington Nationals Edge Chicago Cubs 2-1 Behind Lile’s Homer and Lord’s Strong Outing

The Washington Nationals secured a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs in a tightly contested MLB matchup at Wrigley Field. Key performances from Daylen Lile and rookie pitcher Brad Lord propelled the Nationals to their fourth win in five games.

Lile’s Home Run Breaks the Tie

Daylen Lile delivered the game’s decisive moment in the fourth inning with a solo home run off Cubs starter Matthew Boyd. Lile's blast gave the Nationals a 2-1 lead, a margin they maintained through the remainder of the contest. Lile, who had previously tripled twice a day earlier, provided just enough offense for his team.

Rookie Brad Lord Dominates on the Mound

Brad Lord was stellar for Washington, striking out a season-high seven batters. He struck out the side in both the third and fourth innings, ultimately allowing just two hits, one earned run, and four walks over 5 2/3 innings pitched. Lord’s dominant effort set the tone for the Nationals’ pitching staff, supported by three relievers, with Cole Henry closing the ninth for his second save.

Cubs Struggle to Capitalize Despite Opportunities

Although Chicago batters worked seven walks, they failed to convert those opportunities into runs. The Cubs’ only run came in the second inning when Carson Kelly drove in Pete Crow-Armstrong on a ground-out. Starting pitcher Matthew Boyd threw seven innings, yielding seven hits and two runs while collecting three strikeouts.

Nationals Start Fast

Washington came out swinging, recording three consecutive hits to start the game, including an RBI single from Jorge Alfaro, which gave the Nationals an early lead. However, it was Lile’s home run that proved crucial.

Injury Updates Impact Cubs Lineup

Pete Crow-Armstrong exited in the sixth inning after fouling a pitch off his right leg, suffering a right knee contusion. The Cubs also played without All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker, who missed his third straight game due to a calf injury but is not expected to require a stint on the injured list.

Key Moment

Lile’s home run just cleared the right-field basket to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish. Washington’s pitching staff locked down the Cubs’ offense over the remaining innings for the win.

Key Stat

Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd recorded his 10th pickoff of the season, surpassing a club record that stood since 1913. Boyd picked off CJ Abrams in the fifth and caught Brady House in a rundown earlier, adding to his impressive season totals.

Looking Ahead

For the series finale on Sunday, the Nationals will send left-hander Andrew Alvarez (1-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound. The Chicago Cubs have yet to announce their starting pitcher.

In summary

The Washington Nationals capitalized on a key home run from Daylen Lile and a dominant pitching performance by Brad Lord to edge past the Chicago Cubs 2-1. While the Cubs created scoring chances with patience at the plate, they struggled to break through against Washington’s pitching. Injuries also influenced the Cubs' lineup, and a record-setting pickoff by Boyd stood out as a notable moment. The Nationals will look to build on this momentum as the series concludes.

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