The Chicago Cubs rallied in the eighth inning for five runs, capitalizing on three errors by the Los Angeles Dodgers to secure a 6-3 win on Tuesday night. The game featured a highly anticipated pitching matchup between Japanese stars Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga. The Dodgers had led 3-1, but their defensive mistakes allowed the Cubs to take the lead. Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong made key defensive plays, including a sensational catch to rob Max Muncy of a potential two-run homer in the ninth.
Yamamoto, in his first start since June 16 due to a rotator cuff strain, struck out eight in four innings, allowing one run on three hits. Imanaga, for the Cubs, allowed three runs over seven innings, striking out four. Despite the Dodgers’ early lead, Tommy Edman hit two home runs for Los Angeles, while Muncy added another in the fifth.
Evan Phillips (3-1) took the loss for the Dodgers after giving up two runs in the eighth, while Peter Hodge earned his fifth save for the Cubs. Despite the Cubs’ win, they remain four games back of Atlanta and the New York Mets, who are tied for the final NL Wild Card spot.
Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts confirmed that LHP Anthony Banda went on the IL with a hand fracture, while OF Teoscar Hernández is expected to return soon after a bruised foot.
The Chicago Cubs secured a 6-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, rallying with a five-run eighth inning, aided by three Dodgers’ errors. This game featured a high-profile pitching duel between Japanese stars Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga. Despite the Dodgers leading 3-1, errors by catcher Austin Barnes, center fielder Tommy Edman, and second baseman Kiké Hernández allowed Chicago to capitalize. Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong also shone, making a game-saving home run-robbing catch in the ninth inning.
Yamamoto, making his first start since June due to a rotator cuff injury, struck out eight over four innings, allowing just one run. Imanaga, on the other hand, pitched seven innings, giving up three runs on seven hits. Peter Hodge closed the game for the Cubs, earning his fifth save, though he required attention from the trainer before finishing the ninth.
Tommy Edman homered twice for the Dodgers, and Max Muncy added a solo shot, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a second straight loss to the Cubs. With this defeat, the Dodgers saw their NL West lead shrink to 4.5 games over the second-place San Diego Padres.
Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani faced off against former Japanese teammates Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki, adding a special narrative to the game. Despite a hitless night for Ohtani, Suzuki contributed with two hits. Ohtani remains close to an unprecedented 50-50 season, needing just four more home runs and three stolen bases.