Dodgers Red Dreamin in Chicago For 40th Win

The Dodgers had lost six of their last seven road games until Wednesday night’s 5-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs broke that awful stretch. While starter Mike Bolsinger didn’t get past the fifth inning, it was his one-out double in the third frame (that preceeded Turner’s three-run blast) that sparked the Dodger’s three run rally. The Dodgers scored five runs, (Yes five!) and the Dodger bullpen pitched 4.1 scoreless frames to secure the win. The game ended on a 7-4 putout as Scott Van Slyke threw out Chris Denorfia at second base as he tried to stretch his single into a double. The play was reviewed but the call was ultimately upheld.

Dodgers 5 7 0

Cubs        2 9 0

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Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Bolsinger pitched 4.1 innings and allowed two earned runs on six hits and struck out six. He was removed with two outs in the fifth and runners at first and third. Manager Don Mattingly managed the game like it was the seventh game of the World Series. Why not? Things would have gotten real bad on twitter if the Dodgers hadn’t won this game.

Adrian Gonzalez started the scoring in the top of the second with a solo home run to left center field. That was his thirteenth jack of the season, and his second of the series. Then in the third inning, Mike Bolsinger’s double, and Joc Pederson’s two-out walk set the stage for Justin Turner’s three-run bomb. That put the Dodgers ahead 4-0. Turner has now hit ten long balls on the season.

The Red Dream-Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The bottom of the fifth is when Bolsinger ran out of gas. Former Dodger Mike Baxter singled, and Addison Russell’s double down the left field line scored Baxter from first to cut the lead to 4-1. Then Denorfia’s ground ball single into right field advanced Baxter to third. After a tense meeting on the mound the Dodgers decided to leave Bolsinger in at least for one more batter. Anthony Rizzo’s double play scored Baxter, but the Dodgers gladly traded a run for two outs. Bolsinger was hooked after he walked Kris Bryant, and left hander J.P. Howell struck out Miguel Montero to get the Dodgers out of the inning.

The Dodgers added one more run in the top half of the eighth. Scott Van Slyke (who was playing because Yasiel Puig’s blister was bothering him) doubled just inside the left field line and then scored on Joc’s RBI single.

The Dodger bullpen did their job for once. Joel Peralta, Adam Liberatore, and Juan Nicasio got the ball to Kenley Jansen. The big closer got the first two outs in the bottom of the ninth (Jonathan Herrera ground out, Russell strike out), but Denorfia got a base hit that caromed off the wall in left. Fortunately the ball hit the spot on the left field wall where there is no ivy and Van Slyke played it perfectly. The ball bounced back right to him and his throw into second beat Denorfia by a good measure. Unfortunately Kike’s tag was a bit iffy and the New York office called or a review. After about three minutes the original call was upheld and the third out was recorded. The Dodgers win 5-2! 

Call to the Pen

Kenley Jansen records his tenth save, and Howell picks up the win in relief. Kyle Hendricks (5IP 4ER 4H 1BB 3K) took the loss for the Cubs. The Dodgers are now 40-33, and will finish their Wrigley Field series tomorrow morning with an early start time of 11:20 AM. Carlos Frias will counter Jon Lester as the Dodgers try and earn a series split.

We’re singing choke Cubs choke! What a joke! Hey Chicago what do you say? The Cubs are gonna lose today!

Ok that’s an old song, and the Cubs are actually pretty good this year. However it is still very funny and I’m sure to be singing it all day at work tomorrow. The Dodgers stay in sole possession of first place for at least one more night. It’s sure nice to have things go well for one day for a change.

Go Blue!