The Los Angeles Dodgers had their losing streak extend to four games as they fell 4-0 to the Chicago Cubs in a combined no-hitter started by six innings from Zach Davies.
He was provided early run support as Walker Buehler surrendered a pair of home runs, including a solo shot to Javier Baez in the first inning that amounted to L.A. falling into a deficit in the opening frame in a fourth consecutive game.
The Cubs had at least one baserunner in the second, fourth and fifth innings, but it wasn’t until the sixth that they added to their lead behind a Willson Contreras’ two-run home run.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts went out to the mound after that but left Buehler in the game. He retired Rafael Ortega to ensure all 15 starts this season were at least six innings. However, Buehler’s unbeaten streak was snapped at 23 consecutive starts, which is tied with Kirby Higbe for the longest such stretch in Dodgers franchise history.
Zach Davies wasn’t overly dominant but he certainly turned in an effective outing. Davies walked five batters and struck out four to get through six no-hit innings. With his pitch count up to 94, the Cubs elected for a pinch-hitter with two on and nobody out in the seventh inning.
That decision paid off as Jake Marisnick delivered an RBI single off David Price. What’s been a stout Cubs bullpen this season then did its part to follow Davies with three relief pitchers each throwing an inning. The combined no-hitter marked a first in Cubs franchise history.
It’s the seventh no-hitter this season, which is tied for most in the modern era (since 1900) and one shy of tying the all-time MLB record set in 1884. Clayton Kershaw recently remarked the number of no-hitters this season was cause for concern.
The Dodgers were no-hit for the first time since Jake Arrieta accomplished the feat for the Cubs, also at Dodger Stadium, in 2015.
Dodgers present 2020 World Series ring to Joc
Prior to first pitch on Thursday night, the Dodgers played a tribute video for Joc Pederson and presented his 2020 World Series ring. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, Clayton Kershaw, Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner and AJ Pollock participated in the ceremony.
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