NLDS Game 4: Nationals’ Michael Taylor launches grand slam vs. Cubs

The Washington Nationals needed to extend their lead over the Cubs in the eighth inning on Wednesday night and, well, they were definitely successful with that.

The Washington Nationals entered Game 4 of their NLDS with the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday with their backs against the wall, down 2-1 in the series. In the eighth inning of this one, the Nats were in good position for the win, but they weren’t quite comfortable enough. Up just 1-0 in their do-or-die game, some more runs would have made life a lot more pleasant. Well, they got that comfort because Michael Taylor happened — and the Cubs pitching, too.

Well, they got that comfort because Michael Taylor happened — and the Cubs pitching, too.

After the Nationals loaded the bases, the Cubs made the pitching change to Wade Davis with Taylor coming to bat at Wrigley Field. Davis was coming in to end the inning with two outs, but things didn’t work out that way. Taylor quickly sent the ball over the right-field wall to give the Nationals a commanding 5-0 lead in this one.

That blast right there, as you would expect, sucked the life right out of the Wrigley crowd that has now started preparing for Thursday and a decisive Game 5. It just hasn’t been the day for the Cubs, as they couldn’t get anything going with the bats against Stephen Strasburg. They were able to stay into this one up until the eighth, but now it appears as if it will come down to one game on Thursday between these two teams.

It’s been a wild two days in this series for Game 4, with the postponement, the Strasburg drama and all, and you can now chalk up this dramatic grand slam by Taylor to the list.