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Dodgers Highlights: Zach McKinstry, AJ Pollock & Max Muncy Home Runs Against Cubs

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers gave up a home run in the first inning for a fifth consecutive game but provided some thunder of their own late to snap a four-game losing streak with a 6-2 win against the Chicago Cubs. It was the Dodgers’ first victory in five games against the Cubs this season.

Kris Bryant got the Cubs going early with a home run off Tony Gonsolin that carried well up the pavilion in left-center field. That was the lone hit Gonsolin allowed over four innings in what was his longest start of the season.

He collected seven strikeouts and remained on a pitch count due to still recovering from right shoulder fatigue. Gonsolin anticipates being closer to a normal buildup in his next start.

He did exit with a lead thanks to the Dodgers manufacturing a run in the second inning and Zach McKinstry’s blast in the third. Cody Bellinger led off the second with a single — which was the Dodgers’ first hit in 10 innings — and he scored two ground balls later.

McKinstry then ambushed the first pitch he saw in the third inning for his fourth home run of the season and first since returning from the 10-day injured list at the end of May.

The Cubs pulled even on Joc Pederson’s sacrifice fly in the seventh inning but the Dodgers jumped back ahead behind two-run home runs from AJ Pollock and Max Muncy. While they provided the big swings, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts credited Gavin Lux for working a full count and drawing a leadoff walk before Pollock’s homer.

Tension began building for Dodgers

Mired in a losing streak and with a slumping offense, Roberts said Pollock’s blast infused a sigh of relief in the dugout.

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com