Editorials

Recap: Jose Peraza Has Career Night, Dodgers Use 4-Run Inning To Defeat Cubs

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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Jose Peraza lined a leadoff single to left-center field in the third and was quickly moved into scoring position on Latos’ sacrifice bunt. Peraza then put his speed on display by stealing second base on a pitch that was called strike three to Rollins; the stolen base was the first of his career.



Russell made a sliding stop on a Hernandez grounder in the hole, but his throw pulled Rizzo off the bag, allowing Peraza to score and the Dodgers to tie the game. Latos set the Cubs down in order in the fourth inning, marking the first time he’d done so on the night.

Van Slyke reached on a one-out gift double as Coghlan took a poor route and allowed the ball to carry over his head. Crawford was then put aboard via catcher’s interference, but Ellis and Peraza stranded both runners.

Following a Russell leadoff single, Justin Turner made a diving catch in foul territory on Lester’s sacrifice bunt attempt. The Cubs then executed a hit-and-run with La Stella driving a base hit up the middle that put runners on the corners with one out. After striking out Fowler, Latos was called for a balk which allowed the Cubs to take a 2-1 lead.

Both he and Dodgers manager Don Mattingly argued the call, but it was to no avail despite multiple meetings between the umpiring crew. Latos wound up walking Kyle Schwarber and his night came to an end at 4.2 innings pitched. Luis Avilan entered and needed just one pitch to get the Dodgers out of the inning.

Avilan hit for himself in the bottom of the fifth and grounded out as Lester quickly retired the side in order. Avilan worked his way through a scoreless sixth inning, though it was to no avail as Lester matched the effort and the Dodgers continued to trail, 2-1.

Chris Hatcher took over in the seventh, struck out the first two batters faced, then walked La Stella who stole second base. Hatcher also walked Fowler, and was then removed along with Van Slyke as part of a double switch that brought in J.P. Howell and Andre Ethier.

Howell got the Dodgers out of the jam by striking out Schwarber. Lester found himself in a bit of trouble as Crawford hit a leadoff single and promptly stole second base. Ellis dropped a single into right field that left runners on the corners, and Peraza’s RBI double tied the game.

With the Cubs infield drawn in, Ethier lined a two-run base hit up the middle to give the Dodgers a 4-2 lead and knock Lester out of the game. Justin Grimm entered and gave up an RBI single to Gonzalez before managing to get out of the inning.

Jim Johnson replaced Howell in the eighth and allowed the Cubs to load the bases on base hit and back-to-back hit by pitches. Just as soon as Jonson was giving the Cubs reason for optimism, he got Russell to ground into an inning-ending double play on a full count.

Kenley Jansen worked around a leadoff base hit in the ninth to close out the Dodgers’ 5-2 win, which was their fifth in a row and extended their lead in the National League West to 3.5 games.

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