Hart grad helps Cubs in LA
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kris Bryant hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the 10th inning to go with an earlier solo shot, lifting the Chicago Cubs over the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 on Friday night in the series opener between NL division leaders.
Hart graduate Mike Montgomery started for the Cubs and pitched five innings, allowing six hits and three runs, while walking four and striking out five.
He also scored a run after going 1-for-2 from the plate.
Bryant’s 35th homer capped a comeback from an earlier two-run deficit and extended the Cubs’ winning streak to four games. Chicago fans chanted “MVP! MVP!” as Bryant scored behind Dexter Fowler, who singled leading off.
Chicago improved to 19-4 in August while earning its major league-leading 82nd victory.
Travis Wood (4-0) got the victory with one inning of relief. Aroldis Chapman struck out two in the 10th to earn his 10th save.
Adam Liberatore (2-1) took the loss, allowing two runs and four hits in one inning.
Bryant’s first homer leading off the eighth pulled the Cubs to 4-3.
Chicago tied the game 4-all in the ninth on a wild pitch by closer Kenley Jansen that allowed Jayson Heyward, who led off with a double, to score from third.
The Dodgers took a 4-2 lead on Adrian Gonzalez’s homer leading off the seventh.
New Dodgers catcher Carlos Ruiz went 1 for 3 with a walk and was hit by a pitch in his first at-bat after being acquired Thursday from the Phillies for catcher A.J. Ellis, a popular and well-regarded player in the clubhouse.
The Dodgers led 3-1 in the fourth when a run scored when Howie Kendrick grounded into a double play. They got runs in the third on Justin Turner’s RBI groundout and another by Chase Utley in the second.
The Cubs closed to 3-2 in the fifth on Anthony Rizzo’s RBI single with two outs.
Utley made a diving stop on Ben Zobrist in the fifth, when he threw on his back to Gonzalez for an inningending out that stranded two runners.
Dodgers starter Bud Norris allowed two runs and three hits in five innings, struck out six and walked four.
Cubs starter Mike Montgomery gave up three runs and six hits in five innings, struck out five and walked four.
GIANTS 7, BRAVES 0
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jeff Samardzija and two relievers combined on a seven-hitter for San Francisco.