With the Los Angeles Dodgers down to their final strike, Kyle Farmer delivered yet again in a clutch situation, as his two-run pinch-hit double completed the comeback in a 4-3 win over the Chicago Cubs in the first game of a doubleheader at Wrigley Field.
Because of Brandon Morrow battling fatigue, the Cubs turned to Justin Wilson to close the game out. He started the ninth inning by walking pinch-hitter Austin Barnes and later allowed a base hit to Justin Turner.
Wilson struck out Yasmani Grandal, who then was ejected for arguing the call. Grandal joined Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and Matt Kemp, as they were tossed in the fifth inning.
Los Angeles was in position to take the lead thanks to their bullpen picking up Kenta Maeda with scoreless work. Most notably Scott Alexander, who recorded three strikeouts over 1.2 perfect innings.
After stranding a two-out single in the first inning, Maeda faced a bases-loaded situation in the second. He struck out opposing starter Tyler Chatwood but surrendered a two-out double to Kris Bryant that landed just fair down the left-field line, giving the Cubs a 2-1 lead.
Three walks loaded the bases in the third inning, which Maeda managed to escape by retiring light-hitting catcher Chris Gimenez. Maeda was not long for the game, however, as he exited with two on and two outs in the fourth inning.
Adam Liberatore allowed an RBI single to Anthony Rizzo before getting through the inning, adding a third and final run to Maeda’s ledger. He also issued a career-high five walks.
The Dodgers managed at least one baserunner from the second through ninth innings, but only managed to scratch in the sixth and ninth. The first instance was thanks in some part to good fortune as Chris Taylor tripled to left field because of Kyle Schwarber misplaying the carom off the wall.
Yasiel Puig then lifted a shallow pop fly into right-center field that dropped between Ben Zobrist, Jason Heyward and Ian Happ for an RBI double. Puig reached third base, only to be stranded by Joc Pederson who’d previously hit a home run in the first inning.
Kenley Jansen retired the side in order to record his 18th save of the season.
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