Dodgers Beat Cubs, 8-5
CHICAGO (AP) — Matt Kemp homered and had four RBIs, Yasiel Puig scored a career-high four times and the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers used six pitchers to beat the Chicago Cubs 8-5 on Sunday.
Kemp had four hits for the Dodgers, who clinched a playoff berth on Friday and entered with a 3 1-2 game lead over the Giants in the NL West. Los Angeles pushed starter Dan Haren back a day so he could face San Francisco on Monday.
The Dodgers instead used the bullpen. Jamey Wright made his first start since Sept. 1, 2013, with the Rays, allowing a run and three hits in two innings.
Chris Perez (1-3) struck out two in 1 1-3 innings for his first victory since Aug. 14, 2013. And Kenley Jansen earned his 43rd save in 48 chances.
Welington Castillo homered for the last-place Cubs, who pulled within a run in the fifth. The Dodgers had 16 hits, and the teams combined for 59 runs during the four-game series.
Jacob Turner (5-11) allowed five runs in five innings in his fifth start for the Cubs since he was acquired from Miami on Aug. 8 for two Class-A pitchers.
The Dodgers went ahead in the first on Adrian Gonzalez's and Hanley Ramirez's RBI doubles. Gonzalez's 112 RBIs lead the majors.
Kemp's two-run home run — his 23rd — extended the Dodgers' lead to 4-1 in the third. Arismendy Alcantara's RBI double pulled the Cubs to 4-2 in the bottom of the inning.
Puig remained in the game after an awkward slide in the fifth. His right foot appeared to catch in the dirt and he stopped short of the bag. After the trainer checked on him, Puig scored from second on Kemp's single for a 5-2 lead.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder inflammation) continues to progress after playing catch Saturday. . 3B Juan Uribe returned to the lineup after sitting out Saturday with a lingering groin problem. Manager Don Mattingly said the injury doesn't affect Uribe's swing, but does give him problems in the field when he dives.
Cubs: OF Jorge Soler was removed after five innings Saturday as a precaution due to wet conditions, Cubs manager Rick Renteria said. He had a scheduled day off Sunday. .C Castillo returned to the lineup
after a one-game absence for a rib bruise.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: Haren (13-11, 4.14 ERA) will start for the Dodgers against Giants RHP Jake Peavy (6-4, 2.16) to open a three-game series Monday.
Cubs: LHP Travis Wood (8-12, 4.86) will take the mound for the Cubs against Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright (19-9, 2.45) to begin a three-game series Monday.
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