Bote Delivers Game-Winning Single As Cubs Beat Dodgers, Sweep Doubleheader
CHICAGO (AP) — Clayton Kershaw lasted one inning in the shortest start of his stellar career in the opener, Trevor Bauer didn't get through the fifth in the nightcap, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 Tuesday to sweep a split doubleheader.
David Bote, who tagged Kershaw for a three-run double in a 7-1 win, delivered a game-ending single in the ninth inning of the nightcap.
Kris Bryant started the inning on second and moved up on Anthony Rizzo's grounder. Bote singed to right on a 2-2 pitch from Garrett Cleavinger (0-2) for his fourth career walk-off hit.
The Cubs squeezed this one out even though they were 2 for 20 with runners in scoring position.
Bote's hit gave Justin Steele (1-0) his first career win. And Chicago took two from the World Series champions after losing seven of nine.
After Kershaw got tagged for four runs, Bauer threw 90 pitches in 4 1/3 innings. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner allowed one run and four hits while striking out seven as the Dodgers lost for the eighth time in 10 games.
Jason Heyward gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead when he homered leading off the fourth.
Max Muncy tied it with his drive against Chicago closer Craig Kimbrel in the seventh, forcing extra innings. Pinch-hitter Justin Turner put Los Angeles on top 3-1 in the eighth with a two-run homer against Dillon Maples.
But the Cubs answered in the bottom half. Javier Báez — who entered the game in the sixth — launched a two-run drive against Mitch White with two out.
Chicago's Keegan Thompson pitched two-hit ball over 3 2/3 scoreless innings in his first career start and second appearance.
Exactly 11 years after he went just 1 1/3 innings against Milwaukee in what was his shortest start, Kershaw (4-3) didn't last long in the first game.
The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner gave up four runs and four hits, including an RBI single by Rizzo and a big hit by Bote. He faced nine batters in a 39-pitch inning as his ERA rose from 2.09 to 2.95.
"It wasn't good," Kershaw said. "There's really nothing you can do at this point. It's embarrassing. No excuses. I was horrible. I just put our team in a really bad spot with a doubleheader."
Kyle Hendricks (2-3) went seven innings in his sixth career complete game and the longest outing for the Cubs this season. He gave up seven hits, struck out six and walked one while lowering his ERA from 7.54 to 6.07.
TRANSACTIONS
The Dodgers called up Luke Raley to serve as the 27th player for the second game, while the Cubs recalled right-handed pitcher Kohl Stewart from Triple-A Iowa.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: Manger Dave Roberts said an MRI on RHP Brusdar Graterol (right forearm tightness) showed no structural damage. "The findings — or lack thereof — was good news," he said.
Cubs: The Chicago Cubs placed former NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta (right thumb abrasion), 2B Nico Hoerner (strained left forearm) and reliever Dan Winkler (right triceps tendinitis) on the 10-day IL. ... Manager David Ross said OF Ian Happ (bruised ribs), taken from the field in a cart following a collision with Hoerner during Sunday's loss at Cincinnati, was improving though still "super sore" and considered day to day. He added that tests showed Happ did not suffer a concussion.
UP NEXT
RHP Walker Buehler (1-0, 3.16 ERA) starts for Los Angeles while RHP Adbert Alzolay (1-2, 4.71) fills in for Arrieta.
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