Sunday’s matchup between Clayton Kershaw and Jon Lester was billed as a pitchers’ duel but in the end neither starter made it past five innings. They combined to allow five home runs, with Los Angeles Dodgers coming away with a 9-4 victory to complete their sweep of the Chicago Cubs.
Willson Contreras worked Kershaw for a 12-pitch at-bat in the second inning, ending it with a solo home run to give the Cubs an early lead. Kershaw then allowed a solo home run to Javier Baez and a three-run homer to Anthony Rizzo in the fourth inning.
Lester allowed three-run home runs in consecutive innings. Cody Bellinger’s gave the Dodgers a 3-1 lead in the second inning, and Kiké Hernandez’s extended in the third.
Bellinger’s home run was the first Lester surrendered to a left-handed batter this season. Austin Barnes’ solo homer provided the Dodgers with some insurance in the fifth inning.
The final home run of the game was as Yasiel Puig’s towering two-run shot to center field in the seventh. Puig’s highlights for the day also included a running catch in foul territory during the sixth inning. He replaced Franklin Gutierrez, who was removed after the first inning due to illness.
Lester was chased with one out in the fourth inning. He allowed six runs on seven hits, and issued two walks. Kershaw exited with one out in the fifth inning. He yielded four runs on 11 hits.
Bellinger became the fastest player (31 games) in Dodgers franchise history to 10 career home runs. David Ross needed 44 games to slug his first 10 homers. Bellinger leads the Dodgers this season in home runs, followed by Puig who has nine.
Los Angeles outscored Chicago, 18-4, over the three-game series at Dodger Stadium.
