The Los Angeles Dodgers blew a late lead against the Chicago Cubs as their defense fell apart in the eighth inning, leading to a five-run frame and resulting in a 6-3 loss.
Tommy Edman started the scoring for the Dodgers with his first home run of the season, and first in Dodger Blue, blasting a solo shot in the second inning that tied up the game.
Although he’s not known for his power, Edman did it again in the fourth inning, crushing his second solo shot, this time giving the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.
Both came against Shota Imanaga, who pitched a strong game despite the homers allowed.
The third home run allowed by Imanga was slugged by Max Muncy, who crushed his in the fifth inning. That marked his 13th of the season as he continues to swing a hot bat as of late.
Outside of the homers, the Dodgers only had four other hits against Imanaga in his seven innings of work and didn’t threaten often, going 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position.
Despite their lack of offense, the Dodgers still managed to take a two-run lead into the eighth inning, entering with a 3-1 lead before exiting with a 6-3 deficit.
Alex Vesia walked Ian Happ to start the inning before he was replaced by Evan Phillips. The first batter Phillips faced reached on a throwing error by Austin Barnes to put the tying runs on base.
That proved to haunt them when the next hitter singled, but a throwing error from Tommy Edman allowed two runs to score, tying the game 3-3.
After the Dodgers intentionally walked Cody Bellinger, Michael Busch reached on an error by Kiké Hernández, which also allowed another run to score, rather than being a double play to get out of the inning.
That was followed by a double from Nico Hoerner to make it 5-3, and the Cubs scored again on a ground out from Pete Crow-Armstrong for their fifth run of the inning.
In total, all three of the Dodgers errors led to a run scoring, and counting Freeman’s misplay in the second, four of the Cubs six runs were scored thanks to the Dodgers defense.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto brilliant in return to Dodgers
Yoshinobu Yamamoto made his first start since June 15 when he suffered an official diagnosis of right triceps tightness but was more of a rotator cuff strain.
Yamamoto had mixed results in his rehab assignment, pitching two games for Triple-A Oklahoma City, but he was in complete control for the Dodgers.
The right-hander started his outing by striking out the side in the first inning on 15 pitches. He made it four straight to start the second, but the Cubs put together a small rally.
Isaac Paredes and Nico Hoerner both singled before Pete Crow-Armstrong singled off of Freddie Freeman, which allowed a run to score. Although it was ruled a hit, thus making the run earned, that should probably end up being a scoring change to an error later this season after an appeal.
Yamamoto struck out the side again in the third inning, giving him eight for the game. In the fourth, he allowed a single but faced the minimum thanks to a double play.
That ended his night with 59 innings pitched as he still works to build up. He finished with four innings pitched, allowing one run on four hits with eight strikeouts and no walks.
It was a highly-encouraging outing for both Yamamoto and the Dodgers as they’ll need him to make a deep push in the postseason.
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