Cade Cavalli nearly authored one of the season's most dominant performances Tuesday, carrying a no-hitter deep into the game as the Washington Nationals dismantled the Chicago Cubs 7-0. The shutout halted what threatened to become a three-game sweep and marked the Nationals' closest brush with baseball's rarest feat since 2015.

Cavalli's Near-Perfect Night

Cavalli was virtually untouchable through six innings, retiring every batter he faced without allowing so much as a hit. The no-hitter remained intact into the seventh inning before the Cubs finally broke through—though by that point, the outcome had long been decided. The performance represented the kind of complete dominance that has become increasingly rare in modern baseball, where pitch counts and bullpen management often end dominant starts earlier than generations past.

The last Nationals pitcher to accomplish a no-hitter was Edwin Jackson in 2012, a full three years before the franchise's last flirtation with one. Cavalli's effort puts him in rare air for the organization, even if he ultimately came up short of immortality.

Offense Seals the Route

While Cavalli controlled the game on the mound, Washington's hitters made sure there would be no suspense about the outcome. The Nationals scored 7 runs to back their pitcher, giving him comfortable cushion well before the Cubs mounted any meaningful threat. With the game out of reach early, Cavalli could pitch freely without the pressure that often accompanies close contests.

Sweep Averted

The victory was crucial for Washington's morale and standing in the division. Heading into Tuesday's matchup, the Nationals faced elimination from a three-game series against a Cubs team that had won the first two contests. The convincing nature of this win—the lopsided score and dominant pitching—provided the kind of reset moment that teams desperately need during tough stretches. Whether this performance signals a turning point or merely a pause in a difficult stretch remains to be seen, but the Nationals at least ensured they would leave Chicago with a win to show for the series.

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Cavalli Nearly Perfect as Nationals Shut Out Cubs