Dateline: Fox Mill Park
The Cubs continued their home stand on a day when rained threatened throughout the afternoon. After a leadoff strikeout, the Dodgers banged out four consecutive hits on Dylan who was throwing a lot of strikes. He settled down and got another strikeout but unfortunately a single with runners on second and third scored two more runs to give the Dodgers a quick four runs. Conor led off with a single, stole second and was thrown out trying to steal third (this reporter notes that he looked safe, but umps aren’t going to get every call right). Cubs bats went down quietly and suddenly the Cubs were down 4-0 after one.
Dylan threw heat in the second and retired the side with a leadoff strikeout, a popup back to the mound and a groundout. The Cubs put runners on first and second with walks to Dylan and Danny but Dodgers starter Andy (see wrap ups from last fall) struck out the side to keep the score Dodgers 4 Cubs 0.
Jordyn started the third and looked good with some quick strikes. Unfortunately a single and two walks loaded the bases. Coach Grossman was quick with the hook because of his very deep bullpen. He went to Justin. Justin threw hard but two walks and a single gave the Dodgers their limit of four runs. The Cubs went down in order and after three Cubs fans were surprised to see the Dodgers leading 8-0.
Kaz came on in the fourth and after an initial in the park home run settled down quickly. After a single, a ground out to short, a pop out to Greg at first and a strikeout ended the Dodgers threat. In the bottom of the fourth, the Cubs started their rally which Cubs fans knew would eventually happen. Conor led off with a smash to left. Justin walked. Conor stole third and on an overthrow to third went home for the Cubs first run of the evening. Justin alertly moved to third. Kaz grounded out to second to score Justin. After four it was Dodgers 9 Cubs 2.
Conor came on in the fifth and was dominant. He struck out two batters and then a heavy rain resulted in play being stopped for the night.
A brief interview with Coach Grossman was possible but he was swamped with immediate preparations for Saturday’s game. “Well, you hate to go down 8-0 but I’m proud of how our guys stayed focused and started to battle back. I would have loved to see us get our last two at bats as I think we were due for at least a few runs.” Coach Goldstein said, “I really wish the rain would have stayed away for a while as we were starting to really look good. This is a team that has great team chemistry and I think we’ll rebound from this game and be fine for Saturday’s game. “