Zack Greinke took his spot on the mound at Wrigley Field in the opening game of a four game series with the Chicago Cubs. Greinke gave up two runs in the first inning, committing his first error since July of 2010 on an attempted pickoff throw at first base. Greinke turned around and threw out the lead runner at third base on a bunt attempt on the following at bat. Greinke picked up his fourth strikeout to end a perfect third inning, keeping the game close.

Greinke made his way through a rough fifth inning, giving up four more hits and two runs to fall behind 4-1. Greinke was lifted after his five innings pitched, giving up nine hits that led to the four earned runs. Greinke struck out five, walked one, and left with his ERA sitting at 2.76 after the no decision. Paco Rodriguez picked up the win after pitching an inning of relief before being replaced by Pedro Baez. Baez got out of the seventh inning after cracking the catcher’s mitt with a 96 MPH fastball to record his second strikeout. Brian Wilson worked through the eighth, getting the game to closer Kenley Jansen in a non-save attempt.

The Dodgers were able to get on the score board in the fifth inning with a lead-off single from Scott Van Slyke. Juan Uribe singled but was thrown out at second base trying to stretch it into a double, but moved Van Slyke to third base. A.J. Ellis grounded out to first base, moving Van Slyke across the plate for the first Los Angeles' run. The Dodgers struck for five runs in the seventh inning, hammering the Cubs infielders with some screamers off the bat.

Hanley Ramirez and Carl Crawford singled with one out. Uribe reached base on an error, scoring Ramirez. Andre Ethier came in to pinch hit for Ellis, sending a double to left center field to score Crawford from third base. Justin Turner grounded out to score Uribe, and a double from Dee Gordon scored Ethier. Yasiel Puig singled to move Gordon across the plate for the fifth run of the seventh inning, taking the 6-4 lead. Puig finished the game with three hits and an RBI. After singles from Crawford and Ramirez, Joc Pederson walked and Drew Butera followed with a base loaded walk to take a 7-4 lead. A sacrifice fly from Matt Kemp gave the boys in blue a four run lead and eventual win by the same score, 8-4. Uribe, Gordon, and Ramirez each had two hits in the win, stretching the National League West division lead over the Giants to 2.5 games.

Los Angeles wins the first game in Chicago against the Cubs, snapping their two game losing streak. Clayton Kershaw will look to capture his 20th win of the season, making the start in the second game of the series on Friday night. 

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