Nationals defeat Cubs 4-3 after both sell off at deadline

WASHINGTON (AP) — Josh Bell and Luis García homered, and the Washington Nationals defeated the Chicago Cubs 4-3 Friday night, hours after both franchises completed trade deadline teardowns.

The cores of two recent World Series champions — Chicago in 2016, Washington in 2019 — were scattered to various contenders as both teams acknowledged the need to rebuild. Both did a thorough job, with Washington dealing eight veterans in six trades in a two-day span. Chicago also made a half-dozen trades in the 24 hours before the deadline.

By the time the weekend series began just hours after the deadline, Cubs mainstays Javier Báez, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo had been dealt. So had Nationals stars Max Scherzer, Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner.

In their stead were revamped lineups, as well as opportunities, both Friday and for the rest of the season.

“I think the theme now is opportunity,” said Nationals reliever Kyle Finnegan, who pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save in as many days. “You’re going to see different faces, new guys, guys pitching in different spots, hitting in different spots, guys getting starts and it’s exciting to see players seize those opportunities and see what they can do.”

García, a 21-year-old second baseman likely to receive extensive playing time with Turner dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers, promptly took advantage with a solo homer off Chicago’s Jake Arrieta (5-10) in the second inning.

So did Paolo Espino (3-2), who Washington did not name as the night’s starting pitcher until after it dealt Jon Lester to St. Louis in the afternoon. Espino pitched a career-high 5 1/3 innings, yielding his only run on Rafael Ortega’s double in the third. He allowed four hits while striking out six for his first victory since June 28.

“Whatever the role...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Nationals-defeat-Cubs-4-3-after-both-sell-off-at-16353824.php