Dodgers slide past Cubs to avoid sweep

[April 26, 2019]  A pair of runs without the aid of a base hit were all the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers needed Thursday to earn a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs that salvaged the finale of the three-game series.

The Dodgers scored once in the fifth inning when Chris Taylor's hot smash to shortstop in the fifth inning eluded the glove of the Cubs' Javier Baez, allowing Alex Verdugo to score from third. They added an insurance run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly from Cody Bellinger.

The Cubs got their lone run with two outs in the ninth inning when Albert Almora Jr. hit a home run, his first, against Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen.

Cubs left-hander Jon Lester (1-1) went five strong innings in his return from the injured list because of a left hamstring injury, giving up one run on four hits with no walks and five strikeouts.

Dodgers right-hander Ross Stripling was scoreless over 4 2/3 innings, leaving the game after Kyle Schwarber doubled and advanced to third base with two outs. Right-hander Pedro Baez (2-1) came on to walk Kris Bryant and get Anthony Rizzo on a fly ball to end the scoring threat.

Despite losing the first two games of the series at Wrigley Field, the Dodgers still won four of the seven games on their road trip that also included a stop at Milwaukee. Los Angeles returns home Friday to open a brief three-game homestand against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Cubs saw their three-game winning streak come to an end, going 4-2 on a homestand against the Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks. Despite the loss, Chicago has nine victories over its past 12 games after a 3-8 start.

Cubs shortstop Javier Baez (9) throws out Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Enrique Hernandez (not pictured) during the third inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Lester's outing was his first since April 8 when he injured his hamstring while running the bases. He threw 79 pitches Thursday.

Stripling threw 76 pitches while lowering his ERA to 2.65, but is now a candidate to head to the bullpen because of the impending return of starter Rich Hill from the injured list. In the bullpen, he would join Jansen, who struck out David Bote to end the game and earn his eighth save.

Bellinger, who drove in his 31st run, also had a double to give him 84 total bases, one shy of the major league record for total bases before the start of May held by Chase Utley (2008).

--Field Level Media

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