Rafael Ortega tried his dangedest to singlehandedly keep bringing the Cubs back in this one, but unfortunately the Nationals got to bat last.
That means Manny Rodriguez was out there – 9th inning guy already! – and he got got:
We held the Cubs to 5 hits today.
The Cubs held Yadiel Hernández to 4 hits today.#NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/9RKwFpBxP9
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 1, 2021
Adbert Alzolay was kinda all over the place with his command, sometimes breaking out a beautiful changeup (need that against lefties!) and sometimes just hanging pitches up and out over the plate. You know the drill with him. It’s a process.