Steve Webb
Game 146, 9/11/2024: Dodgers 10, Cubs 8
CHAVEZ RAVINE, CA — Well, nobody can accuse the Dodgers and Cubs of providing boring baseball to the fans who crammed into Dodger Stadium these last three nights. Once again, the two teams went at it on Wednesday to see who would cry “Uncle” first. The Cubs got out to an early lead, followed immediately by a first inning explosion from the Dodgers. Then, the Dodgers lost a big lead, and finally broke through when Gavin Lux‘s two-out single in the bottom of the seventh put the team on top for good in a 10-8 win over the Northsiders. Though the Lux’s single was key, it turned out to be Tommy Edman‘s second homer of the game in the eighth that proved the difference in the ballgame.
Bobby Miller got the start in this one, and it didn’t go great, to be honest. Despite allowing six runs over just 4.1 innings, Miller’s struggles were overshadowed by the power-packed lineup that delivered five home runs, including a monster blast from Shohei Ohtani, who continues his march towards a historic 50/50 season.
Ohtani set the tone early, launching his 47th home run of the season in the first inning to cut the Cubs’ initial 2-0 lead in half. The Dodgers weren’t done yet, as Tommy Edman followed with a two-run homer to give Los Angeles a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Will Smith and Max Muncy capped off the first inning barrage with back-to-back solo shots, putting the Dodgers ahead 5-2. It was the first time in the storied history of the Dodger franchise that the team has hit four first-inning homers.
After a Seiya Suzuki homer tightened the score to 5-3, Ohtani once again came through in the clutch in the third inning, driving in two more runs with a single and bringing his RBI total to 104 on the year. That RBI put the Dodgers in the driver’s seat with a 7-3 lead.
Not so fast, said the Cubs. Miller struggled to keep the Chicago hitters in check, allowing a three-run homer to former Dodger Cody Bellinger in the fifth that tightened the game at 7-6. That ended another disappointing start for Miller. He exited the game with a no-decision: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 2 K. That brought in Daniel Hudson, who gave up the tying run after quite a bit of hijinks, both from the Dodgers’ fielders and the Cubs’ baserunners.
Now deadlocked at 7-7, the two teams went into the late innings. Blake Treinen was perfect in the sixth and Alex Vesia threw a scoreless seventh to set up the dramatic finish. In the bottom of the seventh, Will Smith started the game-winning rally with a one-out double. Smith seems to be showing signs of life lately, with three multi-hit games already this month. Miguel Rojas drew a walk with two down to bring Gavin Lux to the plate. Lux, who started the game on the bench because of the lefty starter, didn’t waste any time, he ripped the first pitch he saw over reliever Shawn Armstrong‘s head and into centerfield for the go-ahead hit.
Edman provided the finishing touch with his second homer of the game, a two-run shot in the eighth that extended the Dodgers’ lead to 10-8. It was the first time in the career that the switch-hitting Edman has homered from both sides of the plate. His eight total bases and four RBIs proved crucial as the Dodgers’ bullpen held firm.
Alex Vesia, who pitched a scoreless seventh inning, earned the win, while Michael Kopech recorded the save after navigating a tense ninth inning after walking the bases loaded.
The Dodgers’ ability to fight back after falling behind early has become a hallmark of their season, and this game was no different. With five home runs and Ohtani’s continued excellence both at the plate and on the basepaths, Los Angeles solidified their lead in the NL West while inching closer to the postseason.
The Dodgers finish up the homestand even at 3-3. And now the final trip of the year back east for a date with the Braves and the Marlins. First stop, Atlanta, where a suddenly struggling Braves team finds themselves fighting with the Mets for their postseason lives. After a travel day, Landon Knack gets us started in the ATL when he matches up with righthander Spencer Schwellenbach (5-7, 3.78 ERA, 107 SO) on Friday. It’s going to be an AppleTV exclusive, so get those apps downloaded to your smart TV. Game time 4:20 PDT.
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