The Washington Nationals staged an epic comeback to beat the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of the NLDS on Saturday night.
The Cubs held a 3-1 lead heading into the eighth inning, but things quickly unraveled. Bryce Harper hit a two-run home run to tie the game at 3-3, and then Ryan Zimmerman hit a three-run shot off of Mike Montgomery to give Washington a 6-3 lead.
Jon Lester gave up one run in six innings, but got a no decision as the series heads back to Wrigley Field tied at a game apiece.
After the Cubs were retired in order in the top of the first inning, Washington third baseman Anthony Rendon poked a solo home run over the right field fence to give the Nationals an early 1-0 lead.
Undeterred, the Cubs got the run right back in the top of the second inning. Willson Contreras lofted a high fly ball to left field, and the wind helped push it over the fence, tying the game at 1-1.
That score remained until the fourth inning, when the Cubs seized the lead. After Kris Bryant socked a double off the left field wall, Anthony Rizzo parked a two-run home run in the right field bleachers, giving the Cubs a 3-1 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Nationals finally got to Lester, loading the bases with two outs and Trea Turner at the plate. On a 2-2 pitch, Lester got the young shortstop to strike out swinging, keeping the Cubs in front.
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Lester ended up surrendering just one run and two hits in six innings of work for the Cubs.
Unfortunately for Lester, he would not get his 10th postseason win. With a runner on first in the eighth inning, Bryce Harper unloaded on a hanging curve ball from Carl Edwards Jr. to tie the game at 3-3.
Mike Montgomery then came into the game, and he promptly gave up a three-run home run to Zimmerman, and Sean Doolittle finished the game off to leave the series tied at a game apiece.
Game 3 will be played at Wrigley Field on Monday afternoon, with Jose Quintana facing Max Scherzer.
