Before the game started at Wrigley Field, the national anthem was sung by local singer John Vincent, who performs as the resident singer at Ditka's Restaurant in Chicago.
The restaurant is owned by Mike Ditka, the former Head Coach of Chicago Bears (American Football).
Vincent works for 15 years for Ditka, who today yelled 'Play Ball' to officially start the game.
The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by 79-year old legendary Cubs-player Billy Williams, who played for the team in 1959-1974.
Williams was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1961 and the league's Best Hitter in 1972.
He played in six All Star Games.
During the '7th inning stretch', it is common in Wrigley Field that a celebrity leads the audience in singing 'Take Me Out To The Ball Game'.
Today, it was sung by wellknown actor Bill Murray, who is a lifelong fan of the Cubs.
Murray mostly played in comedy movies, including Stripes (1981), Tootsie (1982) and Ghostbusters (1984).
In later years, he also played more serious part and acted in Lost in Translation (2003) for which he won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Academy Award.
His recent films include The Monuments Men (2014) and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014).
Washington got into scoring position first in the top of the third inning off of José Quintana.
Michael A. Taylor led off with a single, moved when a pick-off ended in an error, then advanced to third base with two outs when Bryce Harper reached on an error.
But the two were left behind.
Chicago got its first runner in scoring position in the bottom of the fourth.
Washington-starter Max Scherzer retired the first nine batters he faced, but then hit lead-off hitter Jon Jay with a pitch in the fourth.
Jay was forced out on a grounder by Anthony Rizzo, who moved to second base on a following throwing error in an attempt to complete a double play.
Hereafter, Willson Contreras walked, but these runners also stranded.
...Leonys Martin scored the winning run for Chicago...
...On the photo, he plays for Cuba against the Netherlands...
...in the Final of the 2009 World Port Tournament...
...in Rotterdam (Netherlands)...
...The Netherlands 1st baseman is Mark-Jan Moorman...
(© Photo: Henk Seppen) |
In the fifth, Scherzer walked lead-off hitter Kyle Schwarber, but retired the next three hitters (two strikeouts) to keep his No-Hitter intact.
In the top of the sixth, Washington opened the score.
With two outs, Daniel Murphy reached third base on a missed fly in the outfield (Chicago commited four errors).
Pedro Strop then took over the Chicago-pitching, but was greeted with a runscoring double by Ryan Zimmerman.
In the bottom of the sixth, Scherzer walked another hitter, but was then supported with a double play and so, Chicago was stil hitless after six innings!
The No-Hitter ended in the bottom of the seventh when Chicago came alongside.
With one out, Ben Zobrist doubled, which marked the end for Max Scherzer, who was replaced by Sammy Solis.
He gave up a runscoring single to pinch-hitter Albert Almora, Jr. that tied the score.
Next hitter Jason Heyward also singled, which led to another pitching change.
Brandon Kintzler took over and the inning when Addison Russell lined into a double play.
Chicago then took a 2-1 lead in the eighth.
Pinch-hitter Tommy La Stella led off with a walk, then his Cuban pinch-runner Leonys Martin moved on a sacrifice bunt.
With two outs, Oliver Perez became the new pitcher for Washington, but he gave up a runscoring single to Anthony Rizzo, who himself was eliminated on the throw back to the infield.
Washington was retired in order in the final three innings.
Strop got three outs in the seventh, Carl Edwards, Jr. retired the side in the eighth and closer Wade Davis did the same in the ninth.
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Cubs nips Nationals to take lead in Division Series
CHICAGO, Illinois (USA) -
Chicago Cubs won 2-1 against Washington Nationals on Monday-evening (October 9) to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five National League Division Series.
Chicago opened the Series on Friday with a 3-0 shutout-win.
Washington then won 6-3 on Saturday-evening to even the Series.
Game 4 will be played on Tuesday in Chicago.