Cubs Beat Dodgers 8-2
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The last time Kyle Hendricks pitched at Dodger Stadium he was in high school and there were a couple hundred people in the stands.
The 24-year-old shone on a much bigger stage Friday night, scattering four hits over seven innings in the Chicago Cubs' 8-2 victory over the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, whose six-game winning streak ended.
"I thought about playing up here, but I didn't think about this moment," Hendricks said. "You always have lofty dreams, but I was more concerned about the day-to-day work to get me here."
Making his fourth major league start after being called up from Triple-A, Hendricks (2-1) allowed one earned run, struck out three and walked one. The rookie had two of Chicago's 13 hits, including his first in the majors.
"That's a heck of a lineup over there," he said. "I was just lucky I could go out there and throw strikes. The guys scored a ton of runs for me, which is always nice, but you can't relax. You've got to still go after the hitters and treat it like a 1-0 lead."
Starlin Castro had three hits and scored three runs, Ryan Sweeney had two hits and scored twice, and Luis Valbuena homered and drove in two runs for the last-place Cubs, who have won four of their last five.
"Kyle set the tone with his ability to attack the hitters and attack that offense," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said. "That gave us an opportunity to go ahead and do what we did on offense."
Hendricks got dinged in the calf on the first hit of the game by Dee Gordon, but it didn't affect him.
"It was really fun, having all my family and friends here, and I saw my high school coach right before the game," he said.
As much as Hendricks enjoyed himself, Dan Haren was left feeling miserable.
The veteran is in the midst of a career-worst five-game skid, having lost all four of his starts in July. The right-hander (8-9) gave up seven runs — six earned — and eight hits in 4 1-3 innings, struck out three and walked two.
"I'm frustrated and embarrassed," Haren said. "I feel confident coming into the game, but it seems like the same things happen. I didn't have good stuff. I don't know why. I should be pitching better. I feel bad for the fans. It's the toughest time of my career."
The Cubs scored three runs in the third for a 4-1 lead and another three in the fifth to make it 7-1.
"We made so many mistakes," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "You know you can't win like that."
The wildest play of the game occurred on a tag play at home plate in the sixth. It began when Hanley Ramirez grounded into a fielder's choice to third baseman Valbuena, who forced Scott Van Slyke at second.
Second baseman Arismendy Alcantara tried to complete the double play, but Ramirez got to first in time, forcing Anthony Rizzo to fire to the plate. Yasiel Puig, who was on second, had started home on the throw to first.
Puig slid home, where catcher Wellington Castillo was fully sprawled on the ground. Puig reached to tag the plate with his left hand while keeping his right hand away from Castillo's outstretched glove in a cat-and-mouse game. Puig was called safe, which the Cubs challenged. There was a 4-minute review before the call was upheld and the Dodgers trailed 8-2.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cubs: Left-hander Felix Doubront was added to the roster and placed on the 15-day DL with a strained left calf. He was acquired on Wednesday from Boston for a player to be named. He is 26-22 with a 4.82 ERA and three saves in 98 appearances in the last five years with the Red Sox.
Dodgers: Reliever Paul Maholm walked out on crutches with his right knee in a brace after the game. He will have a MRI on Saturday. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez left the game in the third with a right knee contusion. Puig was taken out for precautionary reasons with mild left hamstring soreness in the seventh. The bad luck didn't escape first base coach Davey Lopes, who slipped on some steps. "I think that's it," Mattingly said with a weak smile after ticking off all the injuries.
ON DECK
Cubs: Tsuyoshi Wada (1-1, 3.38) takes the mound for his fourth major league start. The left-hander has struck out 13 and walked six while holding the opposition to a .254 average in his first three starts. He had Tommy John surgery two years ago, when he was in Baltimore's farm system.
Dodgers: Hyun-Jin Ryu (12-5, 3.44) starts against the Cubs for just the second time in his career. The left-hander has won three consecutive starts since July 13, going 3-0 with a 2.37 ERA. Ryu has limited opponents to a .186 batting average while striking out 22 and walking two in that span.
ADDING ON
The Cubs added infielder Chris Valaika to the 25-man roster to take Emilio Bonifacio's spot. Manager Rick Renteria said Valaika will be used all over the lineup to give others a breather.
GETTING CLOSE
Kyuji Fujikawa could join the Cubs next week after his minor league rehab assignment. The right-hander has given up one earned run over five innings in five games at Triple A-Iowa.