Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (9/11/24): Dodgers 10, Cubs 8 – Comeback Effort Falls Short in Finale
The Cubs battled back from an early four-run deficit on Wednesday to tie their game against the Dodgers. Their bid for a three-game sweep fell just short, however, as Los Angeles rallied for three in their final two at-bats to earn a 10-8 victory.
The North Siders grabbed a quick lead on Dodgers starter Bobby Miller in the opening inning with a single from Isaac Paredes and a Michael Busch double to put them on top 2-0. Jordan Wicks had a very rough go of it in the bottom of the frame, beginning with a solo home run from Shohei Ohtani. The power display was just getting going with Tommy Edman, Will Smith, and Max Muncy hitting three consecutive dingers to give the home team a 5-2 advantage.
Seiya Suzuki got one of those runs back in the 3rd inning with his own solo homer off of Miller. The Dodgers got a two-run single from Ohtani in the bottom half to increase the margin to 7-3. The Cubs answered back in the 5th inning when Cody Bellinger blasted an opposite-field three-run homer to cut the deficit to 7-6.
Belli brings us within one! 👀 pic.twitter.com/YKmtBRXC3u
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 12, 2024
Daniel Hudson relieved Miller at that point with one out and nobody on. Hudson walked two batters and an error by second baseman Chris Taylor loaded the bases for Pete Crow-Armstrong. PCA ripped a single to right that tied the score, but he overran first base and was thrown out when the runner at third was held up.
The Dodgers went back ahead in the bottom of the 7th with an RBI single by Gavin Lux against Shawn Armstrong. Edman continued his monster series with a two-run shot off of Trey Wingenter that made it 10-7 in the 8th.
Michael Kopech made things interesting in the 9th, walking the bases loaded with nobody out. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a tease rally with only a single run scoring on a Paredes sacrifice fly as Los Angeles won 10-8. (Box score)
Key Moment
The Cubs attempted a double steal with runners on first and second and one out in the 9th. Smith, the Dodgers catcher, fired to third and got Suzuki for the second out. Busch then struck out swinging to end the game.
Why the Cubs Lost
The offense gave them a chance but a short starting pitching effort put too much stress on the bullpen and it cracked late.
Stats That Matter
- Wicks didn’t have it Wednesday and the powerful Dodgers lineup made him pay for it: 3 IP, 7 R, 8 H, 2 K, and 4 BB.
- Paredes had a perfect night at the plate with a hit, three walks, and two RBI.
- Cubs batters drew 10 walks in this game.
- This was the first time in the Dodgers franchise history that they had four home runs in the 1st inning.
Bottom Line
Chicago gave the Dodgers all they could handle in the series and it’s clear they are a much better team than they were earlier in the year. It’s too late in all likelihood for any kind of a playoff run, but they have to feel good about next year with the way they look right now.
On Deck
After taking Thursday off, the Cubs begin a three-game set in Colorado starting Friday at 7:40pm CT. Javier Assad takes on Austin Gomber in a contest available on Marquee and 670 The Score.