April 10, 2017
Anthony Rizzo singled against Kenley Jansen in the bottom of the 9th inning on Monday night, and the Cubs beat the Dodgers 3-2. The game was finally played after a one-hour and 56 minute rain delay. It was the home opener for the Cubs, which saw them raise their World Series Championship banner at Wrigley Field.
The 9th inning began with a John Jay single off of Sergio Romo. Tommy La Stella pinch-hit for Wade Davis, then advanced Jay to second base on a groundout to shortstop. That’s when Jansen came in for Romo. The Dodger closer would strike out Kris Bryant, and it looked like he might get out of the jam. However, Jay stole 3rd during Bryant’s at-bat, and Rizzo would single on a 1-1 pitch to give the Cubs the win.
The Cubs jumped out to a 2-0 lead in this one. Bryant hit an RBI double in the 3rd inning off of Dodgers’ starter Alex Wood. Wood went just 3 2/3 innings, giving up 1 earned run on 3 hits, and striking out 4. Cubs’ starter Jon Lester made it 2-0 on an RBI fielder’s choice in the 4th.
However, the Dodgers would answer in the 6th. Corey Seager doubled to right, scoring Joc Pederson, which got the Dodgers on the board. In the 8th, Chase Utley reached on a fielder’s choice, which scored Logan Forsythe to tie the game at 2-2. Utley looked like he was going to hit into a sure double play, but Addison Russell threw the ball away when tossing it over to first base. The play was reviewed to make sure Justin Turner did not interfere with Russell while sliding into 2nd base, but the umpire ruled that no interference occurred.
Lester pitched six strong innings for the Cubs, allowing just 1 run on 4 hits, and striking out 7. The Dodgers couldn’t generate much offense against the Cubs’ bullpen. LA had just 2 hits against 5 different Cubs relievers, and only 1 unearned run to show for it.
The Dodgers had their chances but couldn’t capitalize. LA was just 1-7 with runners in scoring position, and left 8 men on base.
Game 2 of the series will be on Wednesday night at Wrigley. The Dodgers will give the ball to Brandon McCarthy, while the Cubs will counter with John Lackey.