Dodgers defeat defending champs Cubs to head to World Series
CHICAGO -- The Dodgers on Thursday night in Chicago crushed the Cubs by a score of 11-1 -- and in doing so claimed the National League pennant for the first time since 1988, CBS Sports reports.
Kike Hernandez homered three times and drove in seven runs, Clayton Kershaw breezed through six crisp innings and Cody Bellinger had three hits as Los Angeles ended Chicago's title defense with a dominant performance in Game 5 of the NL Championship Series.
Hernandez connected on the first two pitches he saw, belting a solo drive in the second against Jose Quintana and a grand slam in the third against Hector Rondon. Hernandez added a two-run shot in the ninth against Mike Montgomery.
It's the first pennant for one of baseball's most storied franchises since Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda managed Los Angeles to its last championship in 1988.
The Dodgers will advance to the World Series, which begins Tuesday in Los Angeles, to face either the Yankees or the Astros. The Yankees lead that series 3-2.