Chicago Cubs Score

Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (4/5/24): Cubs 9, Dodgers 7 – Home Team Out-Slugs Opponents at Windy Wrigley

Photo of Sean Holland Sean HollandApril 5, 2024

The Cubs welcomed the Dodgers to a cold and blustery Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon for what turned out to be a wild game. Chicago had another huge offensive performance but things got pretty tense when Los Angeles staged multiple rallies to draw closer before the home team finally sealed their fifth consecutive victory.

The Dodgers struck the opening blow in the top of the 1st inning against Kyle Hendricks on a two-run single by Teoscar Hernández. The Cubs answered back in a big way against Bobby Miller in the 2nd, beginning with a solo home run off the bat of Dansby Swanson. Nick Madrigal had an RBI single and Seiya Suzuki plated a pair with a double to make it a 5-2 advantage.

Michael Busch hit his first Cub home run in the 3rd inning to increase the lead to four. Shohei Ohtani blasted a two-run home run just inside the right field foul pole in the 5th and Will Smith followed with a double to cut the margin to 6-5 and end Hendricks’ day.

Chicago responded again in the 6th inning when Ian Happ hit a line drive to right that got under Hernández’s glove and rolled all the way to the wall for a triple that scored two. Suzuki then brought Happ in with a sacrifice fly and the Cubs were back up by four at 9-5.

LA refused to go away and Hernández made up for his mistake with a two-run single in the next frame, making it a 9-7 game. Adbert Alzolay came on to get the save and allowed two singles to open the inning before escaping with the win on a diving stab of a line drive by Busch at first base. (Box score)

Key Moment

Hernández appeared to beat out a grounder to shortstop in the top of the 9th to load the bases with one out but a video review found Swanson’s throw beat the runner by inches and he was called out. James Outman lined out to end the game two pitches later.

Why the Cubs Won

The offense showed up again in a big way and they were able to outscore the explosive Dodgers. Their defense also played significantly better than they did in the Rockies series, saving multiple runs throughout the day.

Stats That Matter

  • It’s been a struggle for Hendricks but he’s also gone up against two of the best lineups in baseball so far in 2024: 4 IP, 5 R, 8 H, 4 K, and 2 BB.
  • Drew Smyly gave the Cubs some huge innings after replacing Hendricks: 2.1 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 5 K, and 1 BB.
  • Swanson got on base three times and is hitting the ball very hard.
  • Madrigal had a pair of singles and continues his transformation into an elite defensive third baseman with several outstanding plays at the hot corner.

Bottom Line

The Dodgers are absolutely loaded and any time you can get a win against them it is a real accomplishment. The Cubs offense looks dynamic right now and this is in playing conditions that are hardly conducive to hitting. They had six walks Friday and have been grinding opposing pitchers all season. They are going to make some serious noise if they keep this trend going.

On Deck

Chicago tries to win the series Saturday afternoon at 3:05pm CT. Jordan Wicks takes the mound against big-money signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto in a contest available on FS1, Marquee, and 670 The Score.

Photo of Sean Holland Sean HollandApril 5, 2024
Back to top button