Edwin Jackson solid in Cubs 7-3 win over Dodgers

Edwin Jackson allowed bookend runs in his start, but was solid in between as the Chicago Cubs bounced back from their extra inning loss yesterday to defeat the L.A. Dodgers 7-3 on Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium to earn his first win in six weeks.

The Cubs (47-63) provided plenty of offense as they scored early on an RBI double by Anthony Rizzo. Chris Coghlan hit his sixth home run of the season off Josh Beckett in the sixth, a two-run shot to give the Cubs the lead that they would not relinquish.

Starlin Castro had his first day off of the season, but still contributed with two RBIs on a pinch-hit single in the eighth.

Jackson (6-11, 5.66) won the battle of pitchers who had been struggling as of late, going six strong innings, allowing two runs while striking out six.

The Dodgers (63-49) weren’t as lucky as Josh Beckett (6-6, 2.88) once again failed to pitch past the fifth, allowing three runs in four innings of work.

Coghlan, who was slotted into the leadoff spot again to give Arismendy Alcantara a break from hitting first, came through with a two-run home run, while also walking twice.

Matt Kemp hit his 13th home run of the season off Jackson in the sixth, cutting the Cubs lead to 3-2.

Reliever Brandon League would walk the bases loaded to start the eight, and the Cubs took advantage, and John Baker had an RBI groundout, and Starlin Castro has the pinch-hit two-run single to put the Cubs up 6-3.

Luis Valbuena added a solo home run in the ninth for good measure as the Cubs won their second series in a row.

The Cubs will have an off day tomorrow before traveling to Colorado to face the Rockies for a three-game set. Probable starters are Travis Wood (7-6, 5.10) for the Cubs against Brett Anderson (1-3, 3.12) for the Rockies in a 7:40 pm CT start.