The Cubs offense looked like it had finally broken out of its slump against the Nationals in our MLB The Show 20 simulation of the 2020 season. After struggling in the first two games of the series, the Cubs scored 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk in the 1st inning.

Unfortunately for the Cubs, it was all the offense they could muster. The Cubs tallied just 4 hits in the next 8 innings, dropping their third straight game to the Nationals, 4-3. The Cubs fell to 13-8 on the season and hold a half-game lead over the Reds in the NL Central.

Willson Contreras, who has been struggling all season, slashing .182/.229/.379 coming into the game, had a strong outing, going 2-for-4 with a 2-run homer in the 1st inning that gave the Cubs a 2-0 lead. Jason Heyward added an RBI double in the 1st and the Cubs had runners on second and third with one out, seemingly poised to break things open.

But Steven Souza Jr., who has been hitting well in limited action and was given the start in center over the struggling Ian Happ, struck out. Hernán Pérez, who started at short to give Javy Báez a day off, flew out.

Kyle Hendricks was 3-0 with a 1.95 ERA going into the game and started strong, pitching a scoreless 1st. Then in the 2nd, Juan Soto ripped a solo home run to get the Nationals on the board.

In the 3rd inning, Trea Turner added a solo home run that sparked the Washington offense. The Nationals strung together some base runners and Starlin Castro added an RBI single to tie the game. 

Hendricks escaped the jam to keep the score tied. He labored in his start, pitching just 5 innings, allowing 8 hits and 3 walks and striking out 3.

Yan Gomes won it for the Nationals in the bottom of the 8th, hitting a solo home run to left field off reliever Jeremy Jeffress.

The Cubs put the tying run on first base in the 9th, but Pérez grounded into a game-ending double play.

The Cubs look to avoid the sweep Sunday when Yu Darvish opposes Max Scherzer in the finale in Washington. Catch the game on our Facebook, @WatchMarquee at 1 p.m.

Here’s how the teams lined up:

Cubs

Kris Bryant – 3B
Anthony Rizzo – 1B
Willson Contreras – C
Kyle Schwarber – LF
David Bote – 2B
Jason Heyward – RF
Steven Souza Jr. – CF
Hernán Pérez – SS
Kyle Hendricks – P

Nationals

Trea Turner – SS
Adam Eaton – CF
Howie Kendrick – 2B
Juan Soto – LF
Eric Thames – RF
Starlin Castro – 3B
Ryan Zimmerman – 1B
Yan Gomes – C
Joe Ross – P

Watch the full game here: