WASHINGTON _ The start of Saturday's rescheduled game between the Cubs and Nationals was delayed by 2 hours, 10 minutes due to inclement weather.
That came after Friday's game was delayed twice, first for 1 hour, 21 minutes, then, after they started playing, 2:55 more until the game finally was postponed.
The teams finally squared off after delays totaling 6 hours, 26 minutes. It was not worth the wait for the Cubs.
Any hope of getting a contribution from left-hander Jaime Garcia faded, as Garcia walked three and was pulled after Juan Soto was credited with a two-run single that skipped past the glove of first baseman Anthony Rizzo during a three-run first inning as the Nationals cruised to a 10-3 win.
After allowing a double to Tommy La Stella with one out in the first, Nationals starter Max Scherzer (17-6) retired 15 consecutive batters en route to his 10th career complete game. Scherzer allowed nine hits but struck out 11 and walked none.
The Cubs finally broke through in the seventh on a single by catcher Willson Contreras. But that came after the Nationals scored five times in the sixth off Randy Rosario and James Norwood.
Throwing errors by Contreras and second baseman Daniel Murphy resulted in three unearned runs.
Left fielder Terrance Gore hit a single up the middle in the ninth for his first major league hit after 4{ seasons and 15 plate appearances.
Infielders Javier Baez and Kris Bryant did not start, although Baez pinch-hit in the seventh and fouled to first. Bryant batted for Tyler Chatwood in the ninth and struck out.
Manager Joe Maddon was hoping to get two innings out of Garcia, who hadn't pitched in a major-league game since Aug. 20 with the Blue Jays.
