The Los Angeles Dodgers got back over the .500 mark with a 7-3 victory against the Chicago Cubs thanks to home runs from Mookie Betts, Max Muncy and J.D. Martinez.
Chicago took an early 1-0 lead when Cody Bellinger singled to center field, allowing Nico Hoerner to score after a two-base error by Muncy to open the bottom of the first inning. Seyia Suzuki then followed with another base hit to drive in Bellinger.
Austin Barnes began a rally in the third inning with a single that set the table for Betts to tie the game with his third long ball of the season, which came in his first career start at shortstop at the Major League level.
The Cubs pulled back ahead with a solo home run from Yan Gomes in the fifth inning, but their lead was once again short lived.
Tie it up, Mook! pic.twitter.com/dV9iTUeaTa
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 23, 2023
Back-to-back jacks! pic.twitter.com/CNnvzxhcBW
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 23, 2023
That's a baaaaad man. pic.twitter.com/n6nZmufVHn
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 23, 2023
Victory formation!
Dodgers x @Yaamava pic.twitter.com/eHboHpzQW5
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 23, 2023
Freddie Freeman walked to open the sixth inning and Muncy followed with his 11th homer of the season, putting L.A. up 4-3. It also gave Muncy the MLB lead with 11 home runs so far in 2023.
J.D. Martinez made it back-to-back home runs for the Dodgers with a solo shot to make the score 5-3, where it remained until the ninth inning.
With two outs in the ninth, Miguel Vargas singled and Barnes walked. Betts then doubled to drive in both, giving the Dodgers two more insurance runs.
Dodgers pitching strong against Cubs
Clayton Kershaw earned his fourth win of the season thanks to a quality start where he allowed three runs (one earned) over six innings. Kershaw gave up three hits and walked one while striking out six.
Following the future Hall of Famer, Justin Bruihl pitched a scoreless inning with one strikeout and one walk.
Brusdar Graterol then pitched the final two innings without allowing a run to earn the save. He got into a bases-loaded jam in the ninth, but Betts and Vargas ended the game with a double play.
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