The Los Angeles Dodgers struggled for much of their game against the Chicago Cubs in their Jackie Robinson Day matchup at Dodger Stadium, but they were still able to earn the victory with a walk-off single from David Peralta.
The Dodgers entered play 15-3 since MLB officially started celebrating Jackie Robinson Day in 2004, which was good for the best record in baseball. They haven’t lost on the celebratory date since 2014 in a game against the San Francisco Giants.
Michael Grove was tabbed with the loss but certainly pitched better than the outcome. Grove went 5.2 innings and allowed just one run, which came on Patrick Wisdom’s solo homer in the fifth.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said prior to the game that it was Grove’s first time pitching at full health this season. His season debut came while battling strep throat, which lingered a bit into Grove’s second start of the year.
“I think Michael is going to pitch well,” Roberts said. “I expect Michael to pitch well. It’s going to be a mid-90s fastball, slider curveball and mix in a change. I think he matches up well with these guys.”
Grove allowed only two hits, issued two walks and collected six strikeouts.
Caleb Ferguson got back-to-back strikeouts after inheriting a bases-loaded jam from Yency Almonte in the eighth inning to keep the Dodgers in the game.
The Dodgers lineup remained stuck in a rut until the final inning when James Outman singled and Miguel Vargas doubled. Then with two outs, Peralta, who was pinch-hitting, singled to drive in the pair, breaking the shutout and giving the Dodgers a 2-1 win.
Overall, the offense finished with five hits and entered the ninth inning with just two, which followed a poor offensive performance the game before as well.
With the win, the Dodgers are now 1-1 against the Cubs, setting up a rubber match on Sunday afternoon.
Bellinger booed
Cody Bellinger enjoyed another warm reception from fans when the Cubs lineup was introduced and he stepped up to bat in the second inning. However, Bellinger was booed after robbing Jason Heyward of a home run and in his ensuing at-bats and whenever he made another catch.
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