CHICAGO (AP) — Nico Hoerner homered to ignite a four-run rally in the seventh inning that sent the Chicago Cubs over power-hitting rookie Joey Meneses and the Washington Nationals 4-2 Wednesday.
Hoerner’s seventh home run ended a shutout bid by Nationals starter Josiah Gray and enabled the Cubs to earn just their second win in 51 games in which they trailed entering the seventh.
“I’d seen that starter a third time,” Hoerner said. “I actually don’t get to do that much.”
The Cubs have won four of six and next play Thursday in the Field of Dreams game in Iowa against Cincinnati.
“It’s a part of history we get to do, and I’m just excited to see the whole set up on the filed,” Hoerner said. “So 8,000 (fans) will feel small, but everyone will be excited to be there.”
Meneses homered in his third straight game for the Nationals, who have lost seven of eight.
The 30-year-old Meneses, who made his major league debut on Aug. 2, became the first player in Nationals franchise history to homer four times in his first seven games. Danny Espinosa and Geoff Blum each hit three homers in their first seven career MLB games.
Meneses hit a solo home run in the sixth. The first baseman/outfielder also singled and is hitting .348 in the majors.
“It’s what I’ve been looking for my whole career,” Meneses said. “I’ve worked very hard to get to this point, and I want to enjoy every moment of it.”
Gray had a 2-0 lead and had permitted five hits before Hoerner homered. Gray was puled after Yan Gomes singled.
Nick Madrigal hit a single off reliever Steve Cishek (1-3), and a throwing error by center fielder Victor Robles enabled two runners to move into scoring position.
Rafael Ortega followed with a sacrifice fly off Cishek, and Ian Happ capped…