The Chicago Cubs secured their spot in their second straight NLCS into the early morning hours Friday when they defeated the Washington Nationals 9-8 in a decisive Game 5 from DC. Nats ace Max Scherzer took the loss after a four run inning for the Cubs in the fifth (Scherzer two earned over one inning pitched). Runs in the sixth and seventh innings for the Cubs effectively held off a late Washington comeback as Wade Davis shut the door in the ninth for the Chicago win.