Jameson Taillon gave up only two hits over six innings, and Dansby Swanson hit his 16th home run as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Washington Nationals 3-1 on Friday, keeping their hopes for the postseason alive.
Pinch-hitter Mike Tauchman contributed with a two-run single in the seventh inning for the Cubs (79-75), who now have eight games left and are six games back for the last NL wild card spot.
“We got a big swing from Dansby early in the game, and props to Mike Tauchman as well,” said Chicago manager Craig Counsell. “He’s been delivering very good at-bats as a pinch-hitter.”
The Nationals have now lost five games in a row.
Taillon (11-8) struck out four batters, walked two, and hit one, improving his record to 3-0 with a 1.99 ERA in his last five starts. He managed to get out of a bases-loaded situation in the third inning when José Tena lined out, and he retired the last 10 batters he faced.
“It was a really good effort,” Counsell said. “He pitched cleverly. His cutter worked well against the lefties in the lineup.”
Tyson Miller got Dylan Crews out on a grounder with the bases loaded in the seventh and allowed an eighth-inning home run to James Wood. Porter Hodge finished the game with a perfect ninth inning for his seventh save, completing a five-hit game.
Trevor Williams (5-1), who returned from a right flexor muscle strain that had kept him out since May 30, allowed one run and three hits in five innings.
“Everything felt really good, except for one pitch in this outing,” Williams said. “I’m just thankful to be out there and give the team a chance to win.”
Taillon enjoyed competing in a pitcher’s duel with Williams, who was his teammate in Pittsburgh for four seasons.
“We’ve kept in touch well over the years,” Taillon said. “It’s great to see him back out there healthy. I know fans probably want to see more offense, but for me, it’s a lot of fun.”
