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Trea Turner, Washington Nationals run past Chicago Cubs

By David Driver, The Sports Xchange
Washington Nationals Trea Turner safely steals third base against Chicago Cubs third baseman Jeimer Candelario in the first inning Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. on June 27, 2017. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
1 of 9 | Washington Nationals Trea Turner safely steals third base against Chicago Cubs third baseman Jeimer Candelario in the first inning Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. on June 27, 2017. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

WASHINGTON -- The Washington Nationals have flexed their offensive muscle all season, leading the National League in home runs (117) and slugging percentage (.477).

However, the NL East leaders showed another offensive weapon in the second game of their series with the defending world champion Chicago Cubs.

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Led by speedy shortstop Trea Turner and center fielder Michael A. Taylor, the Nationals stole a franchise-record-tying seven bases and took advantage of a poor Chicago defense to beat the Cubs 6-1 Tuesday at Nationals Park.

Turner has a major-league-high 32 steals this year after swiping four bases Tuesday. Taylor stole two bases, upping his total to nine.

Washington starting pitcher Max Scherzer (9-5) allowed only one run and two hits in six innings.

The combination of Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta and catcher Miguel Montero was no match for Turner and Taylor. The Nationals speedsters each had two hits, and Taylor drove in two runs.

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"I don't pay attention to the catcher much," said Turner, who had four steals for the second time this year. "I knew Jake Arrieta was slower to the plate."

The Nationals have 59 steals this year, fourth most in the NL. Taylor and Turner gave credit to first base coach Davey Lopes, who has worked with baserunners his entire coaching career.

"Davey is a wealth of knowledge. It is a huge help," Taylor said.

Said Washington manager Dusty Baker: "Davey is invaluable there, especially in Trea's young career."

So who would win a race between Turner and Taylor, who both grew up in Florida?

"If you are smart, you'll go with Trea," Taylor said.

The Cubs had no answer for either one.

"Wrong guys on base. That is really the rub there," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.

Scherzer has allowed two runs or fewer in his each of his past seven starts. He struck out six and walked none Tuesday after fanning at least 10 in his previous six outings. Baker said the ace didn't have his best stuff.

"I made what I had work tonight," Scherzer said.

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Enny Romero and Blake Treinen each pitched an inning for the Nationals. Oliver Perez recorded one out and Matt Albers got the last two outs as the Cubs were held to two hits.

The losing pitcher was Arrieta (7-6), who has gone fewer than five innings in three of his last four starts. The 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner gave up six runs (five earned), six hits and six walks with four strikeouts in four-plus innings.

The Nationals (46-31) improved to 6-5 against the NL Central. The Cubs (39-38), who made two errors, fell to 17-22 on the road.

"We kind of self-destructed. Non-Cub like game," Maddon said.

The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the first on a two-out, RBI triple by Kris Bryant. His hit just eluded the leap of center fielder Taylor near the wall and scored Anthony Rizzo, who led off by getting hit by a pitch.

Turner's speed helped the Nationals tie the game in the last of the first.

Turner reached on an infield single and stole second and third. He scored as Brian Goodwin, the No. 2 hitter, reached on an infield single as Arrieta was late to cover first.

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Turner walked and again stole second and third in the third inning and scored when Daniel Murphy reached on an error to make it 2-1.

Washington's speed and porous defense by the Cubs led to two runs for the Nationals in the fourth.

Anthony Rendon singled, stole second, took third on a single by Taylor and scored when Scherzer reached on an infield single off the glove of Arrieta.

Taylor stole second and third and scored when the throw by Montero went into left field to give the Nationals a 4-1 lead.

Arrieta gave up a single to Murphy and walk to Rendon to start the fifth and was replaced by Felix Pena. Taylor smashed a two-run double into the right-center gap with one out for a 6-1 advantage.

NOTES: The Nationals signed veteran RHP Francisco Rodriguez. He was released earlier this month by the Detroit Tigers after posting a 7.82 ERA. ... Cubs manager Joe Maddon will meet with his friend, Congressman Lou Barletta (R-Pa.), and head to the White House on Wednesday. Maddon said it is voluntary if any of his players want to go to the White House. Will Maddon get to see President Trump? "It is a possibility," he said. ... Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg (8-2, 3.57 ERA) will face Cubs RHP John Lackey (5-8, 4.74) on Wednesday. ... Chicago acquired RHP Matt Carasiti late Monday for LHP Zac Rosscup. Carasiti was 1-1 with a 2.37 ERA in 27 games this year at Triple-A Albuquerque and he pitched in 19 games with the Rockies last year.

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