Home Sanchez gem, balanced offense push Nats past Cubs in opener
Baseball

Sanchez gem, balanced offense push Nats past Cubs in opener

Chris Graham

washington nationalsAnibal Sanchez pitched into the ninth inning in Washington’s 9-3 win over the Chicago Cubs on Friday.

Sanchez (8-6, 3.81 ERA) was charged for two runs, one earned, giving up just one hit, striking out six and walking two in the gem.

He was lifted after giving up a run in the ninth on a one-out throwing error by Anthony Rendon.

Sanchez hasn’t lost since returning from the injured list in a 14-4 win over Atlanta on May 29, going 8-0 with a 3.18 ERA over that span.

The righty also had two hits, including a two-out RBI bunt single in a two-run Nats fourth.

All nine Nationals starters had a base hit in the win.

Adam Eaton (12) and Juan Soto (29) homered for Washington (71-57), which for the moment moves to five and a half games back of Atlanta in the NL East.

Jon Lester (10-9, 4.46 ERA) took the loss for the Cubs (69-59), giving up six runs, all earned, on nine hits in four and a third innings.

Story by Chris Graham

Support AFP

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].