Chicago Cubs Recap: Offense struggles in 5-2 loss to Dodgers

Pair of homers sink Cubs in loss to Dodgers

Kyle Hendricks allowed a big, three-run home run and the offense struggled as the Chicago Cubs fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers by a 5-2 final Wednesday, snapping the team’s four-game winning streak.

The Chicago Cubs looked to move to 10 games above .500 for the first time in years on Wednesday, but home runs from Adrian Gonzalez and Justin Turner propelled the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-2 win.

Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks was less-than-stellar, allowing four earned runs in five innings of work. Of the four hits he served up, two left the yard – a troubling sign for the young righty.

Los Angeles (40-33) opened the scoring in the top of the second when Gonzo launched his 13th home run of the year and Turner followed in the third with a three-run shot to center field. Rookie outfielder Joc Pederson added an insurance run in the top of the eighth with a run-scoring single to push it to 5-2.

The Cubs got on the board in the bottom of the fifth when youngster Addison Russell scored Mike Baxter with a run-scoring double. Anthony Rizzo grounded into a double play later in the frame, scoring the second – and final – run for Chicago (39-31).

Chris Denorfia joined Russell with two hits in the loss. The Cubs bullpen allowed one run that was charged to Justin Grimm via the Pederson single in the eighth that came against reliever Edwin Jackson.

What’s Next:

Chicago will host Los Angeles in the series finale on Thursday in hopes of pulling off a series win at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs send ace left-hander Jon Lester (4-5, 3.80) to the hill in the finale. He will be opposed by Dodgers starter Carlos Frias (4-5, 4.68).

First pitch is set for 1:20 p.m. CT.

Next: Looking back at the life of a former Cubs closer