Cubs Recap: Addison Russell plates run in 5-2 loss to the Dodgers

Lester blows lead in 7th; Dodgers hang four spot

Shortstop Addison Russell was the only hitter in the lineup to record an RBI in tonight’s 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers late Saturday evening which extended Chicago’s losing streak to four games.

Southpaw Jon Lester took the mound today for the Cubs (73-55) hoping to get them back on track following his fantastic outing against the Indians this past Monday at Wrigley Field. Lester (8-10, 3.59 ERA) held a one-run lead entering the seventh inning but was unable to hold onto it for very long.

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Pinch-hitter Andre Ethier lined a two-run single to Dexter Fowler out in second shortly after Jose Peraza tied things up with an RBI double. Adrian Gonzalez capped off the inning with a sharp ground ball off Justin Grimm which allowed Ethier to come around to score, making it 5-2.

Los Angeles (72-56) tagged him for all five runs on eight hits while striking out seven times. Speaking of striking out, this specific aspect of the game was still a problem for this young Chicago team who struck out 11 times to Latos and the rest of the bullpen.

The Cubs, however, were able to strike first on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Russell in the top of the second inning. Russell drilled a pitch to deep left field that ended up in foul territory, but Carl Crawford had enough room to record the second out of the inning.

He also had the opportunity to make something happen with the bases loaded and only one out during the eighth inning. Jim Johnson entered the game and gave up a lead-off single to Chris Coghlan and later tagged Kris Bryant with a pitch.

Johnson followed that up by plunking Miguel Montero as well to load up the bases. After working a full-out, Johnson was able to get Russell to hop a pitch towards Jimmy Rollins at short who began a double play to get out of the inning.

Mat Latos (4-9, 4.76 ERA) pitched fairly well against this struggling Cubs team despite exiting the game after 4 2/3 innings. Latos held the Cubs to two earned runs on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts before handing things over to his bullpen.

With Russell standing on third and Tommy La Stella on first, Latos was called for a balk after dragging his foot across the rubber in an attempt to keep the trailing runner honest.

Russell would come across to give Chicago the 2-1 while La Stella was awarded second with Kyle Schwarber in the batter’s box.

It’s time for Jake Arrieta to get this ball rolling in tomorrow’s series finale.

Next: Cubs: Haren needs to step it up in Sept.