The Dodgers were rained out at Wrigley Field last night, so Ernie Banks, the old Cubby, got his wish. Today, they played two.
In the first game of the doubleheader, Kenta Maeda took the mound for the boys in blue. Joc Pederson led off the game and started the Dodgers scoring with a home run on the second pitch of the game.
Maeda himself into trouble in the second inning when he walked the number eight hitter to load the bases with one out. He struck out Tyler Chatwood, the Cubs pitcher, for the second out. He still had to get past Chris Bryant. He couldn’t. Bryant slapped a 3-2 double down the left-field line and scored two. The Cubs went up 2-1.
Maeda’s control problems lead to the second inning in a row with bases-loaded, but he was able to pitch his way out of it.
The top of the fourth inning brought a couple of scary moments. Chris Taylor was hit in the back of the helmet by a wayward pitch. The crowd and those of us watching let out a big gasp, but Taylor appeared to be alright as he took his base. Maeda was later brushed back by a high pitch, and as he went to the ground, he appeared to aggravate his hip, the same which had previously put him on the disabled list.
Maeda took the mound in the bottom of the inning, but his command problems eventually did him in. Maeda walked five and gave up too many full count hits. He couldn’t finish the fourth and was lifted with two on and two out. Adam Liberatore was brought in to clean up the mess. He gave up a single and the third Cubs run before he closed things out.
Matt Kemp and manager Dave Roberts were tossed in the top of the fifth for arguing balls and strikes.
In the top of the sixth, the Cubs lost a Chris Taylor double in the ivy, turning that into a one out triple. They followed that up by losing a Yasiel Puig pop up to the notorious Chicago winds. It fell to the ground and Taylor crossed the plate, bringing the Dodgers to within one run.
It’s going to look in the box score like Maeda gave up the ghost with three earned runs. In my book, he kept the game close, while walking a tight rope with his command.
The Cubs sent LH pitcher Watson to close out the game. He surrendered a leadoff walk to PH Austin Barnes. Justin Turner followed with a single to put barns in scoring position. After being called out on a borderline strike three pitch, Yasmani Grandal became the third Dodger tossed when he argued with the home plate ump.
Down to their last strike, Kyle Farmer came out of ripped a screamer down the left-field line, scoring Barnes and Turner. The Dodgers took the lead 4-3, and suddenly Kenley Jensen had a job to do.
Jensen shut the Cubs down on a dozen pitches, and the Chicago grounds crew hoisted the L flag for all to see. With a doubleheader, there’s a chance for the boys to chalk up another win today. Ol’ Ernie Banks should be concerned.
Oscar Martinez
I was born in the shadow of Dodger Stadium and immediately drenched in Dodger Blue. Chavez Ravine is my baseball cathedral, Vin Scully was the golden voice of summer all my life, and Tommy Lasorda remains the greatest Dodgers manager ever. My favorite things are coffee, beer, and the Dodgers beating the Giants. I also blog about my baseball card hobby at All Trade Bait, All the Time.
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Maeda off his game this first time out and it was also the first time he has ever started against the Cubs. Joc gets them off to a good start and then the ump butts in. But Kyle, Mr Clutch, Farmer saves their butts with a huge 2 run double in the 9th and they win. Like Badger said on the last stream, character building win. Kershaw will start at OKC this Saturday and pitch 4 innings. Next start could be next week against the Cubbies in LA>
6 used out of the pen. Liberatore- 22 pitches, Alexander – 21 pitches, Garcia – 23. Jansen threw 12. I would think the first three aren’t available later today. Jansen maybe.
Ugly win. We will take it.
Yeesh. Another 5 walks through 3 innings. Will either team, or both, set the record for most walks in a double header?
Brandon Morrow injured from taking off his pants. This is on the level of the Goose blowing out his back while sneezing.
this is old hat to everyone here, but I just love watching Hill pitch.
Thank god for MLB Streams.
Really?
The entire month of May – 9.2 IP, 7 earned runs.
Yeah, that’s impressive stuff.
I think you’re judgment is clouded by your aberrant love for all things FAZ. My take? Nice performance tonight. Where the f*** you been Rich?
Very true. I’m biased
Obviously.
He was excellent today, wasn’t he? That curveball man. He’s an artist with that spin.
Giants lose their closer Strickland for 6-8 weeks with a broken hand. Punched a wall……
Bellinger 4 more K’s today. Now at 77 and leaving a lot of men on base. Kid really needs to change his approach.
Paredes was just nails there, especially in that packed park, at Wrigley.
We got what we deserved tonight.
Pathetic clutch numbers today. 4 for 29 WRISP.