Nationals Take Down Cubs 6-3 Despite Bregman and Happ Home Runs

The Chicago Cubs faced off against the Washington Nationals Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field, but a lack of offensive support led to a disappointing 6-3 loss. The Cubs managed only four hits throughout the game, with three of those being solo home runs, making it clear that winning with such limited production would be a tall order.

Shōta Imanaga started on the mound for the Cubs and initially looked sharp, striking out the first two Nationals he faced. However, things took a turn when Joey Wiemer, who had previously played for the Brewers and passed through several organizations before joining the Nationals, launched a three-run homer after two singles set the stage. Despite the early setback, Imanaga settled down, allowing only three more hits and a couple of walks before departing, though he was charged with a run after leaving the game.

On the other side, Nationals pitcher Jake Irvin, who led all of MLB in home runs allowed last season, kept the Cubs at bay for three innings. The Cubs only managed a single baserunner during that stretch, Alex Bregman reaching first on an error, but he was stranded there. The Cubs did connect on some hard-hit balls, including a scorching line drive by Nico Hoerner, which was snared by Irvin.

In the fourth inning, Bregman broke through for the Cubs, hitting his first home run with the team. Not long after, Ian Happ followed suit, sending another ball over the fence. Suddenly, the Cubs were within striking distance at 3-2, and a potential tying run was on base later in the inning, but the opportunity slipped away as the inning ended with Hoerner stranded on third.

The Cubs’ bullpen performed reasonably well, though Phil Maton allowed a run in the sixth, extending the Nationals’ lead to 4-2. The game took a decisive turn in the eighth when Keibert Ruiz hit a two-run homer off Hoby Milner, pushing the score to 6-2. The Cubs managed to respond with Bregman’s second home run of the game, but it was not enough to ignite a comeback.

Despite their struggles at the plate, the Cubs showcased some strong defensive plays, particularly in the ninth inning when Daniel Palencia made his 2026 debut. After allowing a single, he struck out Brady House, preventing further damage. The Cubs did manage to win a couple of ABS challenges during the game, highlighting some moments of good fortune amid their struggles.

After the game, Imanaga’s performance drew mixed reviews. He allowed another home run but struck out seven batters, showing potential for improvement. The Cubs now sit at 1-2 to start the season, having lost the series to the Nationals. While the opening weekend didn’t go as planned, there is optimism for the season ahead, especially with Bregman’s two-home run game hinting at what could be a productive season.

The Cubs will look to bounce back as they prepare to welcome the Los Angeles Angels for a three-game series starting Monday evening. Edward Cabrera is set to make his Cubs debut against Angels right-hander Ryan Johnson, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. CT and coverage available on Marquee Sports Network.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.