Dodgers Team News

Dodgers-Cubs ST Game 18 Recap: Beckett Injured, Wright Struggles

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In the first inning, Kyle Hendricks took the mound for the Chicago Cubs. Dee Gordon showcased his speed with a bunt single, but he was stranded at first. Josh Beckett gave up a hit and a walk with one strikeout in the bottom of the inning.

At the top of the second, Hendricks dished a scoreless inning. Beckett started off the second getting his first out off of an incredible grab from Justin Turner down the third baseline and retired the next two batters. Hendricks had another quick inning with two strikeouts marking a total of five strikeouts from the Cubs right-hander in just three innings. Beckett had similarly quick inning although he would give up a hit and a walk in the bottom of the third.



For the fourth inning, the Cubs brought in right-hander Carlos Villanueva. Villanueva gave up a double to Andre Ethier and the Dodger veteran reached third off a wild pitch. Ethier was left in scoring position after Turner grounded out to end the inning. Beckett ended up leaving the game with right thumb contusion and Paco Rodriguez took the mound. Rodriguez dealt a scoreless inning despite finding himself with runners on first and third. The inning ended with Rodriguez picking off Justin Ruggiano at first.

Andre Ethier 4th inning double

Miguel Rojas led of the fifth with a double and then stole third. Gordon drove Rojas home after a two-out RBI-triple, giving the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. Gordon was left on base after Carl Crawford flied out to left. Javy Guerra took over for Rodriguez in the the bottom of the fifth and started by walking Luis Valbuena, eventually giving up a run a after George Kottaras ground ball drove Valbuena home.

Villanueva stayed in for this third consecutive inning pitching a seamless and scoreless sixth inning. Going into the bottom of the sixth, Jamey Wright replaced Guerra and Alex Guerrero replaced Gordon. Wright began by forcing a ground ball and earning a strikeout, but he ended up struggling. With two outs, he allowed Nate Schierholtz to double and immediately afterwards gave up an RBI  single to Anthony Rizzo. Puig got to the ball in time but lacked throwing accuracy allowing pinch runner Ryan Kalish to score. Chris Valaika, who was pinch running for Rizzo, reached home plate off a Ruggiano single, and a Valbuena homerun put the Cubs above the Dodgers 5-1. In total, Wright gave up four runs of the four hits he allowed.

Jose Veras replaced Villanueva at the top of the seventh. He gave up a hit to A.J. Ellis and Rojas proceeded to hit a line drive down the first base line driving Ellis to third. Rojas moved to second after a wild pitch from Veras. Guerrero cleared the bases with a double adding two runs to the Dodgers scoreboard, but he was picked off at second to end the inning.

Alex Guerrero doubles in two

Hard-throwing reliever Jose Dominguez pitched a perfect eighth inning and the Dodgers were down to their final three outs, trailing 5-3. Af Drew Butera solo home run brought the Dodgers closer at 5-4, but they weren’t able to pull off the come back.

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