Roberto Hernandez has struggled in his last few starts in the back end of the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation, but pitched well through four innings of work in the Dodgers 8-7 loss to the Cubs in the matinee contest at Wrigley Field on Saturday.
Hernandez gave up six hits that led to two runs, struck out four and walked two. He gave up a solo home run in the first inning, leaving the game after just four innings, receiving a no-decision. Paco Rodriguez came on in relief in the bottom of the fifth inning with two runners on and nobody out. Yasiel Puig laid out in center field after chasing down a fly ball, making the catch and initiating a double play to end the inning.
Pedro Baez entered in the bottom of the sixth inning with runners on first and third and nobody out. Baez induced a fly out, strikeout, and a pop out to continue to maintain the Dodgers lead. That didn’t continue for much longer though. JP Howell gave up four runs on three hits to tighten the game, and Brian Wilson was tacked with the loss after giving up two runs, including the go ahead run in the eighth inning.
The Dodgers fell behind for the first time all game in the eighth inning after controlling the bats at the plate and continuing to swing them well themselves. Yasiel Puig bunt singled in the first inning to get on followed by a two run home run from Adrian Gonzalez for the early 2-0 lead.
Dee Gordon singled to lead-off the third inning, proceeding to steal his 64th base of the season. Puig walked, and Gonzalez homered for the second time in as many as bats, this one being a three run shot for his 25th of the season. Matt Kemp followed with a single, moving to second base on a walk by Hanley Ramirez. Justin Turner doubled to score Kemp and cap off a four run third inning, giving the boys in blue the 6-1 lead. Scott Van Slyke hit into a sacrifice fly double play, scoring Kemp for the Dodgers seventh run of the game in the seventh inning. Gordon, Puig, Van Slyke, and Gonzalez each had two hits. Gonzalez finished the afternoon with five RBI’s.
Jamey Wright will make the start in the series finale with the Cubs, finishing off the Dodgers regular season road schedule. The Dodgers clinched a playoff spot with the Brewers loss yesterday, and continue to hold a three game lead over the San Francisco Giants for first place in the National League West prior to the conclusion of the Giants game on Saturday.