The Los Angeles Dodgers returned from their first road trip of the season with somewhat of a flat performance as Noah Syndergaard continued to struggle and Andre Jackson let the game get away in an 8-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs.
Syndergaard worked around two-out base hits in each of the first two innings, but Yan Gomes’ leadoff single in the third set the table for the Cubs to take a lead. He stole second base — just the eighth swiped bag in Gomes’ 12-year career — and Ian Happ took advantage with an RBI ground-rule double.
Chris Taylor’s solo home run in the bottom of the third pulled the Dodgers even, but the Cubs answered right back the next inning. Cody Bellinger, in his first visit to Dodger Stadium since signing with the Cubs, led off the fourth with a double and he later scored on a fielder’s choice.
Bellinger went 1-for-4 with a walk and was regularly cheered by Dodgers fans throughout the night. The applause when Bellinger was announced for his first at-bat resulted in a pitch timer violation. Edwin Ríos went hitless in four at-bats.
Gomes again was a thorn in Syndergaard’s side in the fifth inning with a leadoff home run. Syndergaard’s velocity on the four-seam fastball and sinker were both down from his two previous outings but he still managed to turn in a quality start at six innings and three runs allowed.
Syndergaard finished his night by striking out the side in the sixth inning, primarily relying on his changeup. Syndergaard’s nine strikeouts were his most since September 29, 2019.
Max Muncy continued his torrid pace with a fifth home run this week, but it was answered by Happ, Seiya Suzuki and Patrick Wisdom each hitting a solo shot off Andre Jackson in eighth inning. Jackson’s woes carried into the ninth as Gomes hit his second homer of the night and Happ added an RBI double.
Muncy nevertheless now has 150 home runs in his career, and with six this season is tied with Pete Alonso, Ryan Mountcastle and Rafael Devers for the MLB lead.
Dodgers lineup without Will Smith
Austin Barnes started at catcher Friday despite the Dodgers heading into the game after an off day. Manager Dave Roberts said prior to first pitch that Will Smith was dealing with an illness and unavaialable.
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