Swanson homers, Smyly sharp as Cubs beat Nationals 5-1
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 01: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Chicago Cubs hits a two run home run in the fifth inning during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on May 1, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Ima
WASHINGTON - Dansby Swanson hit a two-run homer and Drew Smyly delivered seven solid innings as the Chicago Cubs bounced back from a rough series at Miami to beat the Washington Nationals 5-1 on Monday night.
Swanson went 3-for-5, including a double and his second homer of the season. The 389-foot blast to left-center in the fifth inning made it 4-1 — a welcome advantage for the Cubs, who snapped a three-game skid. All those losses to the Marlins were by one run.
Smyly (3-1) allowed a homer by Lane Thomas in the second inning but cruised from there, throwing just 84 pitches. The left-hander gave up six hits and walked none in his fifth straight start allowing two runs or fewer.
MacKenzie Gore (3-2) allowed a season-high four runs over four-plus innings on seven hits — including three doubles and Swanson’s homer. Seiya Suzuki had an RBI single in the first for Chicago, and Trey Mancini drove in Suzuki with a double.
Ian Happ homered in the ninth for Chicago off Cory Abbott.
Dominic Smith had three of Washington’s six hits. The Nationals, last in the NL East, have lost four of five.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Cubs: C Yan Gomes left the game in second inning as a precaution after getting hit in head with a backswing. He was replaced by Tucker Barnhart. ... Swanson received a gash above his right eye sliding into second base in the third. ... RHP Kyle Hendricks (shoulder) will pitch in a rehab game Tuesday for Triple-A Iowa, looking to reach four innings or 60 pitches. ... RHP Jameson Taillon (15-day injured list) will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday.
Nationals: RHP Chad Kuhl was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 30, with a right big toe injury. RHP Cory Abbott was recalled from Triple-A Rochester. ... 3B Carter Kieboom (Tommy John surgery), who has not played in a major league game since 2021, will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday for Double-A Harrisburg.
UP NEXT
The four-game series continues on Tuesday night with Chicago’s Hayden Wesneski (2-1, 5.24 ERA) facing Washington’s Trevor Williams (1-1, 4.10).