June 30, 2017 Cubs.com, Jay powers 3-run 9th as Cubs rally to top Nats http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/239502146/cubs-score-3-in-9th-to-top-nats-in-finale/ Cubs.com, 'Frosh' faces spark depleted Cubs lineup http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/239577954/young-cubs-essential-in-9th-inning-rally/ Cubs.com, Bryant's right ankle sprain feeling 'a lot better' http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/239519042/cubs-kris-bryants-ankle-injury-improving/ Cubs.com, Epstein: Cubs still searching for edge, identity http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/239505198/president-theo-epstein-talks-cubs-identity/ Cubs.com, Montgomery, Cubs looking to gain ground http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/239502254/montgomery-cubs-looking-to-gain-ground ESPNChicago.com, From the win column to the clubhouse, these Cubs are nothing like last year's Cubs http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/44786/from-the-win-column-to-the-clubhouse-these- cubs-are-nothing-like-last-years-cubs ESPNChicago.com, Inside the Cubs' ninth-inning rally to beat the Nationals http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/44779/inside-the-cubs-ninth-inning-rally-to-beat-the- nationals CSNChicago.com, Cubs Have What Nationals Desperately Need And Wade Davis Has No Doubts: ‘We’ll Be There’ http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/cubs-have-what-nationals-desperately-need-and-wade-davis-has- no-doubts-well-be-there CSNChicago.com, Cubs Finally Starting To See ‘Wins Don’t Just Happen Because You’re Talented And You Show Up’ http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/cubs-finally-starting-see-wins-dont-just-happen-because-youre- talented-and-you-show CSNChicago.com, Kris Bryant’s Attitude With Cubs At Low Point: ‘What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger’ http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/kris-bryants-attitude-cubs-low-point-what-doesnt-kill-you-makes- you-stronger Chicago Tribune, Cubs 'freshmen and sophomores' lead 9th-inning rally in 5-4 win over Nationals http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-nationals-spt-0630-20170629-story.html Chicago Tribune, Kris Bryant feels 'a ton' better after spraining ankle, hopes to avoid DL http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-kris-bryant-sprained-ankle-better-spt-0630- 20170629-story.html Chicago Tribune, Kyle Schwarber in Iowa: 1-for-3 with a single, walk and strikeout on Thursday http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-kyle-schwarber-iowa-cubs-stats-20170629- story.html Chicago Tribune, Cubs pitchers will have more say calling pitches as young catchers mature http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-pitchers-young-catchers-cubs-notes-spt-0630- 20170629-story.html Chicago Tribune, Joe Maddon on Cubs' lack of winning edge: 'We’ve been playing from behind' http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-theo-epstein-joe-maddon-20170629- story.html Chicago Tribune, Cubs prospect Eloy Jimenez invited to Futures Game http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-eloy-jimenez-futures-game-20170629- story.html Chicago Tribune, Trade bores: Can Cubs make big second-half push without outside help? http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/trade-bores-can-cubs-make-big-second-half-push-without-outside-help/ Chicago Sun-Times, Risky business? Montero DFA means little experience among Cub catchers http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/risky-business-montero-dfa-means-little-experience-among-cub- catchers/ Chicago Sun-Times, Ankle sprain could keep Cubs’ Kris Bryant out until at least next week http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/ankle-sprain-could-keep-kris-bryant-out-until-at-least-next-week/ Chicago Sun-Times, There’s lots of blame to go around for 2017 Cubs debacle-in-the-making http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/theres-lots-of-blame-to-go-around-for-2017-cubs-debacle-in-the-making/ Chicago Sun-Times, Hall of Fame to honor Cubs 2016 World Series run with new exhibition http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/hall-of-fame-to-honor-cubs-2016-world-series-run/ Chicago Sun-Times, Should the Cubs bring back ‘Grandpa Rossy’? http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/should-the-cubs-bring-back-grandpa-rossy/ Daily Herald, Cubs have standings, NL Central, calendar in their favor http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20170629/cubs-have-standings-nl-central-calendar-in-their-favor Daily Herald, Bryant says ankle feels much better; no timetable for return http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20170629/bryant-says-ankle-feels-much-better-no-timetable-for-return -- Cubs.com Jay powers 3-run 9th as Cubs rally to top Nats By Kyle Melnick and Carrie Muskat WASHINGTON -- The Nationals' bullpen has proven time and again that anything is possible against it, regardless of the lead it holds. That was reinforced Thursday against the Cubs. With two outs in the top of the ninth and the Nationals ahead by two, the Cubs laced together three consecutive hits and three runs to take the lead before Wade Davis threw a scoreless bottom of the ninth inning to seal the 5-4 victory. "A win's a win -- it doesn't matter how it looks, how we get there," Chicago starter Jon Lester said. "We'll take two of four from a really good team. Hopefully, this can build a little momentum for us." The Nationals lost more than the game, revealing afterward that shortstop Trea Turner had a broken bone in his right wrist from a HBP in the seventh. Turner was hit by a Pedro Strop fastball, but stayed in the game until the top of the ninth when he was replaced by Stephen Drew in a double switch. Postgame X-rays revealed the fracture. The Nationals did not announce a timetable for Turner's return. Braves star Freddie Freeman sustained a similar injury six weeks ago and is expected to begin a rehab assignment this weekend. Washington has 13 weeks remaining in the regular season and holds a 9 1/2-game lead over Atlanta in the National League East. The loss marked the Nationals' Majors-leading sixth when entering the ninth with a lead. "I just didn't execute," said Blake Treinen, who's 3-for-5 in save opportunities this season. "Joe [Ross] threw a great game, and the offense did everything they could to get us out of here with a win, and I came in and didn't do my job. I need to be better. It's getting exhausting, and I'm sure these guys are sick of seeing the same result when I'm out there." The Nationals claimed the lead in the seventh inning when Anthony Rendon hit a two-run homer and Brian Goodwin knocked an RBI single. The lead lasted until Jon Jay's double scored the tying and winning runs. "That was a big rally," Jay said of the Cubs' three-run ninth. "We kept the line moving and had some great at-bats there." The Cubs' success against the Nationals' bullpen spoiled Ross' second quality start in as many outings. The right- hander allowed two runs and struck out seven in 6 2/3 innings. Lester allowed just one run in his six innings and struck out seven. "We are a really good team now," Nationals manager Dusty Baker said, "but we still need some help." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Man on the run: Turner ran all over the Cubs this series, stealing seven bases and setting a career high with 35 swiped bags for the season Thursday. On Tuesday, the Nationals stole seven bases, including four from Turner, with Miguel Montero behind the plate. Turner stole two more bases Thursday, but the Cubs caught him stealing for the first time in the four-game set when he delayed his steal of third in the first inning, limiting the Nationals to just one run in the frame. Willson Contreras also caught speedster Michael Taylor stealing second in the fifth inning, stabilizing Washington on the basepaths for the first time this series. Candy man: The Cubs were without Kris Bryant (ankle), but rookie Jeimer Candelario filled in at third, hitting his first Major League home run leading off the seventh for a brief 2-1 lead. Candelario was making his fourth consecutive start since he was called up when Jason Heyward (hand) went on the disabled list. The rookie launched an 0-1 pitch from Ross 425 feet to right-center. "I was trying to throw a fastball inside," Ross said. "It was just left over the middle. He put a good swing on it and put it out to right field. It was a hot day today, so kind of off the bat I knew it was gone." Candelario was hit by a pitch on the left knee in the ninth. He stayed in the game, but could barely run to second. X-rays were negative and he has a painful contusion. QUOTABLE "Obviously, [the Nationals'] starting pitching is outstanding, they have some speed and just like advertised, their bullpen, they're probably going to do something about that. The starting pitching is outstanding, power, speed, good defense. They played really well. We got to their bullpen tonight. I think what we had heard [about them] coming in was pretty much true." -- Cubs manager Joe Maddon "[Treinen's] got great stuff, probably the best stuff on the team. So to even see him get hit sometimes, I'm pretty surprised." -- Ross SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Davis retired the side in the ninth to pick up his 16th save in 16 tries. His 16 consecutive save conversions to begin the season extends the Cubs' franchise record.