Utley threw Zobrist out from his back, earning a point of congratulations from the outstretched right arm of Norris.
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Kris Bryant heard the MVP chants loud and clear. Inside the clubhouse, his teammates showered him with more of the same.
After the Cubs added another run on an RBI single for Anthony Rizzo in the fifth, Bryant blasted a solo shot to deep centerfield as the Cubs cut the lead to 4-3 in the 8 inning.
“It’s humbling and just keeps me going and keeps me determined to do all I can”, Bryant said. “To experience it in real life is pretty cool”.
Bryant’s NL-leading 35th homer capped a comeback from an earlier two-run deficit and extended the Cubs’ winning streak to four games.
Bryant also leapfrogged Nolan Arenado for the National League lead in home runs – always a sterling credential when MVP voting is conducted in September. “I don’t know, it was kind of one of those weird games, but this is our team and we did it a year ago”.
The National League leader in home runs dealt the Dodgers a crushing blow when he obliterated a fastball from Adam Liberatore in extra innings to give Chicago the come from behind victory. “We always believe we can win in the final innings”.
Reliever Travis Wood (4-0) worked a flawless ninth for the decision.
In between he retired 10 of 11 batters, and struck out six, allowing just the two runs.
Dodgers starter Bud Norris (7-10) allowed two runs on three hits with six strikeouts and four walks in five innings but did not figure into the decision.
Bryant homered in the eighth and tenth innings respectively as he brought the Cubs back from the brink on Beatles night at Dodger Stadium.
Ruiz couldn’t handle Jansen’s wild pitch that led to the Cubs tying the game in the ninth.
“It was a tough loss”, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“When you have that gift – and you have that work ethic – the bottom line is a lot of good things can happen”. Lefty Mike Montgomery will take the hill for the Cubs facing Bud Norris and the Dodgers as plus-100 home underdogs. The catcher was acquired Thursday in a trade for A.J. Ellis.
“No excuses; I should’ve caught that ball”, Ruiz said.
In the fourth, Utley scored when Kendrick hit into a double play for a 3-1 advantage. They got runs in the third on Justin Turner’s RBI groundout and another by Chase Utley in the second. The right-hander allowed two runs over five innings, thanks in part to some stellar defense.
He needed 89 pitches to get through five, as he walked four and struck out six.
The Dodgers recalled pitcher Brock Stewart from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
With the third-best offense in the big leagues averaging 5.13 runs per game and the best team ERA in the league at 3.14, the Cubs appear to be well on their way to the best record in baseball. To make room on the roster, C Shawn Zarraga was optioned to OKC and RHP Kenta Maeda to the Rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers, whose season ends Sunday.
NOTES: Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw (herniated disk) threw a 60-pitch bullpen session Friday. Next he will face hitters. Los Angeles LHP Brett Anderson (blister, left index finger) also threw a bullpen session.
Cubs (82-45): Chicago will start Jason Hammel on Saturday against the Dodgers.
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Friday night’s total is set at eight runs for the Cubs vs. Dodgers matchup.
