Maybe there was some mojo because legendary home run hitter Sammy Sosa was in the house.
Maybe it was because the wind was blowing out at Wrigley Field.
Maybe it was because Washington Nationals pitchers have made a habit allowing home runs this season — 180 entering the day.
Whatever the reason, the Chicago Cubs added to that total Friday, belting four long balls in an 11-5 win in front of 32,320 — including Sosa, the franchise’s all-time home run leader who will join Derrek Lee in being inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame on Sunday.
Dansby Swanson, Reese McGuire, Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ hit home runs for the Cubs (81-60). Hoerner’s blast was his sixth of the season, but it was his first at Wrigley; his last came May 4, 2024, against the Milwaukee Brewers.
“It’s nice to take advantage of a day like today,” Swanson said.
The Nationals came in with the third-worst record in Major League Baseball. But they also were coming off a three-game sweep of Miami in which they outscored the Marlins 17-7.
Nationals starter Jake Irvin (8-11) came into the game with a 9.96 first-inning ERA. That number turned even uglier when the Cubs tagged him for five runs in the opening inning, highlighted by Swanson’s three-run shot into the left-field seats, his 22nd of the season.
“The three-run homer was a huge one,” manager Craig Counsell said. “We were playing with a nice lead all game.”
Javier Assad (2-1) picked up the win, allowing four runs in 5 1/3 innings.
And while he didn’t homer, Pete Crow-Armstrong appears to have benefited from some time off. Mired in a terrible second-half slump, the center fielder went 2-for-3 with two sacrifice flies after not starting Tuesday and Wednesday and an off day Thursday.
Since Aug. 1, Crow-Armstrong was hitting .163 with four doubles, one home run and five RBIs. Whether the rest will help down the stretch remains to be seen, but Counsell felt it was important to try it.
“I don’t have data behind it,” Counsell said. “But it is one of those things where it’s a gut decision, for sure. There is data in front of it that suggests that it’s time to do it. But you are looking at the person and the player and talking to coaches and people down here and figure out what the player needs. What’s best for the player.
“Often you are doing it at a lower point for the player and they will likely improve. In my experience, it’s been helpful for players. It’s the mental reset and just the break of being frustrated with the results. That’s a big lift. It’s easier and helpful and it makes you a little sunnier inside, if that makes sense.”
Crow-Armstrong admitted the time off helped.
“It was a good chance to slow down a little bit,” he said. “It was big for me mentally. I trust Counsell’s decision. It’s going through the process and staying true to it.”
Swanson, a 10th-year veteran, has gone through his share of ups and downs at the plate in his career.
“The game is meant to be played every day, but there are times when you are going through things and you may not necessarily realize how physically tired you may be or mentally tired you may be,” Swanson said. “This game can cause a lot of stress and can challenge you in so many different ways.
“Sometimes we forget the value of being able to sit over there and just watch a Major League Baseball game and it’s a payoff for guys who come back and play ball.”
Injury report
Right fielder Kyle Tucker sat out his third straight game with left calf tightness. He went through a few drills, and Counsell said the injury hasn’t improved.
“It wasn’t as positive as we hoped, frankly,” Counsell said. “He didn’t make any progress with the day off. He’s kind of in the same spot he was on Wednesday. (Saturday) is going to be a big day to see where he is at. It’s unfortunate but that’s where we’re at.”
Right-hander Jameson Taillon, on the injured list since Aug. 27 with a left groin strain, had a rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Thursday. He allowed three runs on six hits (two home runs) with a walk and six strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.
“Everything went well and he felt good,” Counsell said. “We’re going to get through this weekend and see what that holds. It’s likely he will rejoin us, but let’s just get through this weekend.”
Right-hander Mike Soroka (shoulder strain) will throw a live bullpen session Saturday and is scheduled to go on a rehab assignment after that.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.