The Cubs got a nice two-run shot from Willson Contreras in the top of the first inning … and the lead lasted about four minutes.
With back-to-back ugly frames to open the game, Kyle Hendricks had ceded that lead and then some. By the time he departed partway through the third inning, the Dodgers already had all the runs they’d need. More tomorrow, but the Cubs and Hendricks have got to figure out the root cause of his command troubles and fast. For all his smarts and movement on his pitches, Hendricks without elite command is only barely a big league starting pitcher. Hendricks with poor command? Well, we’ve seen it for all of June, and the results are scary.
You’ve gotta give a lot of credit to the bats for battling back, and to the bullpen for keeping the Dodgers where they were, at least until the 8th. Solid job of making it a game, given where it was. But it’s a loss. The Cubs’ sixth in seven tries.
Now the Cubs have to beat Clayton Kershaw tomorrow to split the series. Gulp.