Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (9/7/25): Nationals 6, Cubs 3 – Palencia Blows Save, Injured in Loss
The Cubs and Nationals met in the deciding game of their series at Wrigley Field Sunday afternoon. Chicago was in command most of the way before a meltdown in the 9th inning cost them a win and possibly a significant piece of the bullpen.
The North Siders went ahead when Carson Kelly hit a solo home run off Andrew Alverez on the bottom of the 2nd. Colin Rea took over after Drew Pomeranz opened the game and gave up a game-tying sacrifice fly to Brady House in the top of the 5th.
Seiya Suzuki put the Cubs back in front with an RBI single in the bottom of the frame to make it 2-1. The score stayed that way until Kelly hit his second homer of the game in the bottom of the 8th to increase the advantage to 3-1.
Daniel Palencia came on for the save and immediately gave up a solo homer to Robert Hassell III, followed by a single and a walk. Josh Bell then launched a go-ahead three-run homer to give Washington a 5-3 lead.
After allowing a triple, Palencia injured himself on a pitch and had to be assisted off the field. The Nationals scored one more and closed out the Cubs in the bottom of the 9th for a 6-3 victory. (Box score)
Key Moment
Palencia may have been feeling something when the inning began because he got hit hard, giving up three extra-base hits.
Why the Cubs Lost
They could have scored more runs, but the real culprit was a bullpen collapse.
Stats That Matter
- Rea did a nice job in his outing and deserved a win: 5.1 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 6 K, 0 BB.
- Kelly has three home runs in his last three games.
- Nico Hoerner had two more hits.
Bottom Line
The Cubs have to be disappointed by dropping a series at home to a very bad Washington team, but the biggest concern their closer. With the offense continuing to struggle, they are going to need the bullpen to win games down the stretch. If Palencia’s injury is significant, it could be a major problem for Chicago.
On Deck
The Cubs head to Atlanta for a three-game series beginning Monday at 6:15pm CT. Shōta Imanaga takes the mound against Bryce Elder in a contest available on Marquee with a radio feed on 670 The Score.
