Cishek Channels Davis in 7-Out Save Versus Nats

Cubs manager Joe Maddon reverted to form against an old enemy in the Cubs’ series finale against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, calling upon RP Steve Cishek to hold the line for seven outs to secure a one-run victory, in a similar bid to former Northsider Wade Davis’s seven-out save to nail down the Cubs’ Game 5 win over the Nats in the 2017 NLDS, also at Nationals Park.

Cishek took the hill with two away in the bottom of the 7th inning after RP Xavier Cedeño failed to retire OF Adam Eaton, inducing a lineout by INF Anthony Rendon to end the inning. The Nats were down by a score of 6-1 in the 6th inning but clawed their way up to a one-run deficit thanks to a three-run homer by Rendon to score INF Trea Turner and Eaton, as well as a solo shot by INF Howie Kendrick in the 7th. The Cubs failed to score any insurance runs in the 8th and 9th, so it was up to Cishek to keep the Nats in check. He worked 2.1 innings and allowed no runs on one hit with two strikeouts and no walks to earn the save.

Cishek’s heroic effort helped the Cubs secure a series victory in the rubber match against Washington, allowing them to maintain their lead atop the National League Central Division standings. The Northsiders return home tonight to host the Philadelphia Phillies starting at 8:05 PM ET. Matchup: Jake Arrieta (4-4, 4.02 ERA) vs. Yu Darvish (2-3, 5.14 ERA). Support the site by buying your tickets from SeatGeek!

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