WASHINGTON — On June 5, 2025, the Chicago Cubs defeated the Washington Nationals 7-1 at Nationals Park, improving their record to 39-23 and solidifying their first-place standing in the National League Central. The Nationals, now 29-33 and third in the NL East, struggled to counter the Cubs’ offensive and pitching dominance.
The Cubs struck early, with Pete Crow-Armstrong hitting a two-run home run in the first inning off Nationals starter Jake Irvin, scoring Kyle Tucker. Ian Happ added a double in the second, driving in Matt Shaw to make it 3-0. Happ’s two-run homer in the sixth extended the lead to 5-0, and his RBI single in the ninth, following Reese McGuire’s RBI single, sealed the 7-1 score. Happ led the Cubs, going 3-for-6 with four RBIs, while Shaw went 3-for-5 with two stolen bases.
Colin Rea earned the win for the Cubs, pitching 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing five hits and one walk. “Rea set the tone,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said post-game. “He kept their bats quiet and gave us room to build the lead.” Ryan Pressly closed the game, allowing one unearned run in the ninth due to a catcher interference error by McGuire.
The Nationals’ lone run came in the ninth when pinch-hitter Daylen Lile reached on catcher interference and scored on Luis García Jr.’s single. García Jr. went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and CJ Abrams added a double and a single. Irvin took the loss, giving up three runs on eight hits over five innings. “We couldn’t get the big hit when we needed it,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez noted. “Their pitching kept us off balance.”
The Cubs’ offense was relentless, amassing 15 hits, including two home runs and two doubles. They capitalized on Nationals’ miscues, including a fielding error by third baseman Amed Rosario. Chicago’s base running, led by Shaw’s two steals, added pressure. The Nationals managed eight hits but left eight runners on base, going 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
The game, attended by 30,402 fans, lasted 2 hours and 46 minutes under partly cloudy skies with 84-degree weather. The Cubs’ victory extended their lead over the second-place Milwaukee Brewers, while the Nationals fell further behind the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies.
This win highlighted the Cubs’ balanced attack, with contributions from veterans like Happ and young talent like Crow-Armstrong. The team’s pitching staff, anchored by Rea, effectively neutralized the Nationals’ lineup. For Washington, the loss underscored ongoing challenges in generating consistent offense against strong pitching.
The Cubs’ performance reflects their strong 2025 campaign, as they aim to maintain their division lead. The Nationals, meanwhile, continue to develop their roster, relying on young players like Abrams and García Jr. to build momentum.
