Nationals bruise Cubs 10-4 on Opening Day at Wrigley

The Washington Nationals beat Alex Bregman and the Chicago Cubs 10-4 on Thursday for new manager Blake Butera’s first win with the team.

CJ Abrams hit a tiebreaking two-run single during Washington’s six-run fourth inning on a blustery, overcast afternoon at Wrigley Field.

Michael Busch had three hits for Chicago, which begins the season with World Series aspirations after losing to Milwaukee in the playoffs last year. Pete Crow-Armstrong had two hits and two RBIs just days after agreeing to a $115 million, six-year contract with the Cubs.

Bregman and Crow-Armstrong each got a loud ovation from the crowd of 39,712 when they were announced with the starting lineup. Bregman went 1 for 4 with a single and a walk in his first regular-season game since signing a $175 million, five-year contract with the Cubs in free agency.

Wiemer hit a solo drive to left off Matthew Boyd in the second. Young capped Washington’s fourth-inning outburst with a two-run shot to right off Ben Brown, and House tacked on another two-run drive in the ninth against Jacob Webb.

Boyd (0-1) was charged with six runs and six hits in 3 2/3 innings in his third career opening-day start. The left-hander struck out seven and walked one.

Game time temps at Wrigley Field were in the mid-40s with a 25-mph north wind, for a wind chill of 38. They finished the game in a cold rain. Meanwhile, downstate Cardinals fans basked in 91-degree sunshine at Busch Stadium.


(AP Photo Erin Hooley)