Chicago Cubs rise to the occasion in Game 5, regain series lead

Yesterday evening, the Chicago Cubs routed Los Angeles in a 10-2 win, tying the series at two. Tonight, Joe Maddon turned to southpaw Jon Lester in hopes of his club grabbing a 3-2 series lead as it prepares to head back to Wrigley Field.

And that’s exactly what they did. In Game 4, the Chicago Cubs had key hitters’ come alive as Addison Russell and Anthony Rizzo went deep. They both combined for five RBI in that massive Game 4 win and continued to swing heavy bats.

With their ace, Lester, on the mound, the Cubs entered Game 5 with their confidence through the roof. However, Dodgers’ skipper Dave Roberts made things difficult, having his lineup setting up their at-bats with bunt attempts.

We all know how bad Lester can be when it comes to throwing to first. Especially fielding a ground ball and throwing out a runner.

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At one point in the game, Lester fielded a bunt and tossed it over to Anthony Rizzo to end the inning. This resulted in Lester glancing over at the Dodgers’ dugout.

In the end, it was Lester who was unphased by the Dodgers and their strong approach in the batters box. Jon hurled seven innings of one-run ball, allowing Los Angeles to record five hits in the process.

Maddon’s workhorse issued one walk and struck out six Dodgers before he was pinch-hit for in the eighth. Early on, the Chicago Cubs looked great when Dexter Fowler started the game with a single off Kenta Maeda.

Strong Showing, Not Enough

Maeda picked up a no-decision in the first game of this series. Despite giving up one earned run himself, he held Chicago to three hits, two walks, and six strikeouts of his own. In the end, Maeda left the game trailing by a single run.

Rizzo was responsible for driving in the first score of the game on a RBI double out to right field with only one out. Lester’s only run of the night came on Adrian Gonzalez‘ groundout to Rizzo at first, allowing Howie Kendrick to score.

Kendrick doubled down the line out in left field and later stole third base. With the game deadlocked at one, the Cubs responded with a two-run sixth inning. Russell came through with another two-run homer off Joe Blanton.

This made it 3-1 in favor of the visiting team. Later on in the eighth, the Cubs added some insurance on a pair of infield singles from Fowler and Kris Bryant. Infielder Javier Baez, who nearly homered earlier in the game, picked up his second double of the game and unloaded the bases in the process.

Next: Cubs' Rizzo apologizes to umpire in Game 4

A three-run double which made it 8-1, and initially, removing Aroldis Chapman from the game who hasn’t pitched since Game 2. He took the mound in the ninth.

Going back to Baez to end the article. During Lester’s final inning, Javier was playing out in right field with Gonzalez at the plate. Gonzalez laid down a bunt that rolled up the diamond and towards second base. Baez, who was a good 150 plus ft. out, rushed in, barehanded the ball and made a strong throw to retire Gonzalez.

All in a single motion.