GAME THREAD: NL: LA DODGERS (72-65) at CHICAGO CUBS (70-66)

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: T Abreu at second base.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: LA DODGERS 6
CHICAGO CUBS 2 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: M DeRosa (.289, 2-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - PITCHING CHANGE
LOS: TAKASHI SAITO (1-0, 1.33) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: LA DODGERS 6, CHICAGO CUBS 2

DUE UP FOR CHCUBS: M DEROSA (.289, 2-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: T Saito relieved J Broxton.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: LA DODGERS 6
CHICAGO CUBS 2 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: M DeRosa (.289, 2-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
LA DODGERS 0 0 0 1 2 0 2 1 0 6 14 1
CHICAGO CUBS 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 8 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: LOS - BRAD PENNY, JONATHAN BROXTON (8TH), TAKASHI SAITO (9TH) AND
RUSSELL MARTIN

CHN - STEVE TRACHSEL, KERRY WOOD (7TH), WILL OHMAN
(8TH), KEVIN HART (8TH) AND JASON KENDALL

HOME RUNS: LOS - NONE

CHN - NONE</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
LA DODGERS 0 0 0 1 2 0 2 1 0 6 14 1
CHICAGO CUBS 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 8 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: LOS - BRAD PENNY, JONATHAN BROXTON (8TH), TAKASHI SAITO (9TH) AND
RUSSELL MARTIN

CHN - STEVE TRACHSEL, KERRY WOOD (7TH), WILL OHMAN
(8TH), KEVIN HART (8TH) AND JASON KENDALL


WP - BRAD PENNY (15-4)
LP - STEVE TRACHSEL (0-1)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: LOS - NONE

CHN - NONE


TIME: 2:51 ATT: 37,834

PROBABLES: LOS - DAVID WELLS (6-8, 5.46)
CHN - TED LILLY (13-7, 3.89)</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">LA DODGERS (6) VS CHICAGO CUBS (2) - FINAL

LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 5 1 1 0 0 0 3 .278
J Pierre cf 5 0 2 2 0 0 0 .291
M Kemp rf 5 1 4 1 0 0 0 .344
J Kent 2b 5 0 1 0 0 1 4 .295
T Abreu 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .288
L Gonzalez lf 3 0 2 1 1 0 0 .282
W Valdez pr 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .236
A Ethier lf 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .289
R Martin c 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .297
J Loney 1b 3 1 1 0 1 1 2 .312
A LaRoche 3b 3 1 1 1 0 2 0 .208
R Martinez 3b 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 .185
B Penny p 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 .250
a-M Sweeney ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 .248
J Broxton p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
T Saito p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 38 6 14 6 3 7 16

a-struck out looking for B Penny in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - B Penny (5, S Trachsel); A LaRoche (4, K Wood); R Martin (30, W
Ohman). 3B - M Kemp (4, K Hart). RBI - L Gonzalez (57), J Pierre 2 (36), M Kemp
(35), A LaRoche (6), R Martinez (26). 2-out RBI - L Gonzalez, J Pierre 2, M
Kemp. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Kent 1, A Ethier 1. Team LOB
- 8.

BASERUNNING: SB - M Kemp (9, 2nd base off S Trachsel/J Kendall), J Pierre
(54, 2nd base off S Trachsel/J Kendall). CS - M Kemp (4, 2nd base by S
Trachsel).

FIELDING: E - A LaRoche (3, ground ball). DP: 5 (R Furcal-J Kent-J Loney, R
Furcal-J Loney, J Kent-R Furcal-J Loney, J Loney-R Furcal-J Loney, T Saito-J
Loney).


CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Soriano lf 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .297
R Theriot ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .281
D Lee 1b 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .310
A Ramirez 3b 3 1 1 0 1 0 1 .316
D Ward rf 3 1 2 1 1 0 1 .344
M DeRosa 2b 3 0 2 0 1 0 3 .289
J Jones cf 4 0 0 1 0 1 4 .266
J Kendall c 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .290
S Trachsel p 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
K Wood p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-M Fontenot ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .279
W Ohman p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
K Hart p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 31 2 8 2 4 2 13

a-walked for K Wood in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - D Lee (35, B Penny); D Ward (11, B Penny). RBI - J Jones (51), D
Ward (15). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M DeRosa 2, A Ramirez 1.
GIDP - D Lee, J Kendall, J Jones, D Ward. Team LOB - 6.

FIELDING: E - A Ramirez (9, ground ball). Outfield assists - D Ward (L
Gonzalez at 2nd base), A Soriano 2 (J Pierre at Home, R Martin at Home). DP: 2
(R Theriot-D Lee, A Soriano-J Kendall).


----------------------------------------------------
LA DODGERS - 000 120 210 -- 6
CHICAGO CUBS - 000 101 000 -- 2
----------------------------------------------------

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
B Penny (W, 15-4) 7 7 2 1 3 2 0 2.82
J Broxton 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.13
T Saito 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1.31

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
S Trachsel (L, 0-1) 6 7 3 3 1 3 0 4.50
K Wood 1 4 2 2 0 1 0 3.95
W Ohman 0 2 1 1 1 0 0 5.23
K Hart 2 1 0 0 1 3 0 0.00

W Ohman pitched to 3 batters in the 8th.

IBB - J Loney (by W Ohman). Pitches-strikes: B Penny 94-61; J Broxton 9-6; T
Saito 10-5; S Trachsel 82-51; K Wood 23-16; W Ohman 14-7; K Hart 30-19. Ground
balls-fly balls: B Penny 15-4; J Broxton 2-1; T Saito 0-2; S Trachsel 7-5; K
Wood 2-0; W Ohman 0-0; K Hart 0-2. Batters faced: B Penny 29; J Broxton 3; T
Saito 3; S Trachsel 24; K Wood 7; W Ohman 3; K Hart 7.

UMPIRES: HP--C.B. Bucknor. 1B--Joe West. 2B--Ed Rapuano. 3B--Ed Hickox.

T--2:51. Att--37,834.
Weather: 80 degrees, clear. Wind: 4 mph, out to left.</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
LA DODGERS 6
CHICAGO CUBS 2 FINAL</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LA DODGERS (6) AT CHICAGO CUBS (2) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LA DODGERS 4TH: J Pierre grounded out to second. M Kemp reached on infield
single to second. J Kent flied out to right. M Kemp stole second. L Gonzalez
singled to right, M Kemp scored. R Martin flied out to right. (1 Run, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) LA DODGERS 1, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: D Ward singled to center. M DeRosa singled to left,
D Ward to third. J Jones grounded into fielder's choice to second, D Ward
scored, M DeRosa out at second. J Kendall grounded into double play, shortstop
to first, J Jones out at second.(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 1,
CHICAGO CUBS 1.

LA DODGERS 5TH: J Loney struck out swinging. A LaRoche struck out
swinging. B Penny doubled to deep left. R Furcal singled to center, B Penny
to third. J Pierre singled to right, B Penny scored, R Furcal to third.
J Pierre stole second. M Kemp singled to left, J Pierre thrown out at home,
R Furcal scored, J Pierre to third advancing on play. (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA DODGERS 3, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 6TH: D Lee struck out swinging. A Ramirez safe at first on
error by third baseman A LaRoche. D Ward doubled to deep center, A Ramirez
scored. M DeRosa singled to right, D Ward to third. J Jones grounded into
double play, second to shortstop to first, M DeRosa out at second.(1 Run,
2 Hits, 1 Error) LA DODGERS 3, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

LA DODGERS 7TH: K Wood relieved S Trachsel. J Loney singled to left.
A LaRoche doubled to deep right, J Loney scored. B Penny struck out swinging.
R Furcal grounded out to shortstop, A LaRoche to third. J Pierre reached on bunt
single to first, A LaRoche scored. M Kemp reached on infield single to
shortstop, J Pierre to second. J Kent grounded out to third. (2 Runs, 4 Hits,
0 Errors) LA DODGERS 5, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

LA DODGERS 8TH: W Ohman relieved K Wood. L Gonzalez singled to right
center. W Valdez ran for L Gonzalez. R Martin doubled to deep center, W Valdez
to third. J Loney intentionally walked. K Hart relieved W Ohman. R Martinez
walked, W Valdez scored, R Martin to third, J Loney to second. M Sweeney hit
for B Penny. M Sweeney struck out looking. R Furcal flied out to left,
R Martin thrown out at home. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 6, CHICAGO CUBS 2.</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LA DODGERS (6) AT CHICAGO CUBS (2) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

La Dodgers Starting Lineups -- R Furcal SS, J Pierre CF, M Kemp RF, J Kent 2B,
L Gonzalez LF, R Martin C, J Loney 1B, A LaRoche 3B, B Penny RHP.

Chicago Cubs Starting Lineups -- A Soriano LF, R Theriot SS, D Lee 1B,
A Ramirez 3B, D Ward RF, M DeRosa 2B, J Jones CF, J Kendall C, S Trachsel RHP.

Umpires -- C.B. Bucknor (HP), Joe West (1B), Ed Rapuano (2B), Ed Hickox (3B).


Gametime Weather: 80 degrees, Clear, wind out to left at 4 mph.


LA DODGERS 1ST: R Furcal grounded out to first. J Pierre grounded out to
pitcher. M Kemp safe at first on error by third baseman A Ramirez. M Kemp
caught stealing second, pitcher to first to second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 1 Error)
LA DODGERS 0, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: A Soriano reached on infield single to shortstop.
R Theriot singled to right, A Soriano to second. D Lee grounded into double
play, shortstop to second to first, R Theriot out at second, A Soriano to
third. A Ramirez walked. D Ward walked, A Ramirez to second. M DeRosa lined
out to right. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 0, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

LA DODGERS 2ND: J Kent singled to left center. L Gonzalez walked, J Kent
to second. R Martin grounded into fielder's choice to right, L Gonzalez out at
second, J Kent to third. J Loney lined into double play, shortstop to first,
R Martin doubled off first.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 0, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: J Jones struck out swinging. J Kendall grounded out to
shortstop. S Trachsel grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA DODGERS 0, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

LA DODGERS 3RD: A LaRoche struck out swinging. B Penny flied out to
center. R Furcal grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA DODGERS 0, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 3RD: A Soriano popped out to shortstop. R Theriot grounded
out to pitcher. D Lee doubled to deep right. A Ramirez grounded out to
shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 0, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

LA DODGERS 4TH: J Pierre grounded out to second. M Kemp reached on infield
single to second. J Kent flied out to right. M Kemp stole second. L Gonzalez
singled to right, M Kemp scored. R Martin flied out to right. (1 Run, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) LA DODGERS 1, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: D Ward singled to center. M DeRosa singled to left,
D Ward to third. J Jones grounded into fielder's choice to second, D Ward
scored, M DeRosa out at second. J Kendall grounded into double play, shortstop
to first, J Jones out at second.(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 1,
CHICAGO CUBS 1.

LA DODGERS 5TH: J Loney struck out swinging. A LaRoche struck out
swinging. B Penny doubled to deep left. R Furcal singled to center, B Penny
to third. J Pierre singled to right, B Penny scored, R Furcal to third.
J Pierre stole second. M Kemp singled to left, J Pierre thrown out at home,
R Furcal scored, J Pierre to third advancing on play. (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA DODGERS 3, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 5TH: S Trachsel grounded out to second. A Soriano popped out
to shortstop. R Theriot grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA DODGERS 3, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

LA DODGERS 6TH: J Kent popped out to shortstop. L Gonzalez grounded out to
shortstop. R Martin grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA DODGERS 3, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 6TH: D Lee struck out swinging. A Ramirez safe at first on
error by third baseman A LaRoche. D Ward doubled to deep center, A Ramirez
scored. M DeRosa singled to right, D Ward to third. J Jones grounded into
double play, second to shortstop to first, M DeRosa out at second.(1 Run,
2 Hits, 1 Error) LA DODGERS 3, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

LA DODGERS 7TH: K Wood relieved S Trachsel. J Loney singled to left.
A LaRoche doubled to deep right, J Loney scored. B Penny struck out swinging.
R Furcal grounded out to shortstop, A LaRoche to third. J Pierre reached on bunt
single to first, A LaRoche scored. M Kemp reached on infield single to
shortstop, J Pierre to second. J Kent grounded out to third. (2 Runs, 4 Hits,
0 Errors) LA DODGERS 5, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 7TH: R Martinez at third base. J Kendall grounded out to
shortstop. M Fontenot hit for K Wood. M Fontenot walked. A Soriano flied out
to center. R Theriot grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA DODGERS 5, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

LA DODGERS 8TH: W Ohman relieved K Wood. L Gonzalez singled to right
center. W Valdez ran for L Gonzalez. R Martin doubled to deep center, W Valdez
to third. J Loney intentionally walked. K Hart relieved W Ohman. R Martinez
walked, W Valdez scored, R Martin to third, J Loney to second. M Sweeney hit
for B Penny. M Sweeney struck out looking. R Furcal flied out to left,
R Martin thrown out at home. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 6, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 8TH: A Ethier in left field. J Broxton relieved B Penny. D Lee
flied out to right. A Ramirez reached on infield single to second. D Ward
grounded into double play, first to shortstop to first, A Ramirez out at
second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 6, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

LA DODGERS 9TH: J Pierre flied out to left. M Kemp tripled to deep right
center. J Kent struck out swinging. A Ethier struck out looking. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 6, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 9TH: T Abreu at second base. T Saito relieved J Broxton.
M DeRosa walked. J Jones lined into double play, pitcher to first, M DeRosa out
at first. J Kendall flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 6,
CHICAGO CUBS 2.</div>

 

Dodgers keep heat on NL West leaders, down Cubs

<h3>LA DODGERS 6, CHICAGO CUBS 2</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- With the Los Angeles Dodgers wanting tokeep as much possible pressure on the division leaders in theNational League West, a visit to Wrigley Field has been quiteinvigorating.


Brad Penny tossed seven strong innings and Matt Kemp had fourhits as the Dodgers posted a 6-2 victory over the Chicago Cubson Tuesday.


After dropping two of three games to division-leader San Diegoover the weekend to leave it four games behind the Padres forfirst place in the division, Los Angeles has rebounded to winthree straight, including taking the first two games of thisfour-game set. With the win, the Dodgers won for the 12th timein their last 17 contests at the Cubs' home park.


The Cubs (70-67), clinging to a half-game advantage over theMilwaukee Brewers (70-68) and one-game lead over the St. LouisCardinals (68-67) in the NL Central, lost a game in thestandings to both teams as both the Brewers and Cardinals wonearlier in the day.


Penny (15-4), who experienced a pair of three-game winlessstreaks sandwiched around a win on August 15, won for just thesecond time since July 26 after going 14-1 in 21 starts to beginthe season. The righthander worked around a hit and two walksin the first inning by forcing Derrek Lee to ground into one ofthree double plays that the Dodgers turned in support for theirace on the evening.


In all, Los Angeles turned a season-high five double plays.

Overall, Penny yielded two runs - one earned - and seven hits,marking the 17th time in 28 starts that he allowed one earnedrun or less in a start this season.


Two days after posting a three-hit effort in Sunday's 5-0 winover San Diego to start the Dodgers' current winning streak,Kemp recorded his second four-hit in his last 14 games, reachingbase in all five plate appearances.


After reaching first base in his first plate appearance due tothird baseman Aramis Ramirez's fielding error, the 22-year-oldsingled in his next three at-bats before capping off hisperformance with his fifth career triple.


Steve Trachsel (0-1), who was acquired from Baltimore justbefore the non-waiver trading deadline on Friday in exchange fortwo minor leaguers, took the loss in the first start of hissecond tour of duty with the Cubs. The 36-year-old, who spentseven seasons with Chicago, allowed three runs and seven hits insix innings.

 

Dodgers keep heat on NL West leaders, down Cubs

<h3>LA DODGERS 6, CHICAGO CUBS 2</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- With the Los Angeles Dodgers wanting tokeep as much possible pressure on the division leaders in theNational League West, a visit to Wrigley Field has been quiteinvigorating.


Brad Penny tossed seven strong innings and Matt Kemp had fourhits as the Dodgers posted a 6-2 victory over the Chicago Cubson Tuesday.


After dropping two of three games to division-leader San Diegoover the weekend to leave it four games behind the Padres forfirst place in the division, Los Angeles has rebounded to winthree straight, including taking the first two games of thisfour-game set. With the win, the Dodgers won for the 12th timein their last 17 contests at the Cubs' home park.


"It's a good time for us to get hot," Dodgers manager GradyLittle said. "We are starting to do things the right way (and)we got good pitching from Brad Penny. If we execute a littlebetter running the bases, we will be fine."


The Cubs (70-67), clinging to a half-game advantage over theMilwaukee Brewers (70-68) and one-game lead over the St. LouisCardinals (68-67) in the NL Central, lost a game in thestandings to both teams as both the Brewers and Cardinals wonearlier in the day.


"The bottom line is we need to start scoring more runs," Cubsmanager Lou Piniella said. "It's hard to beat the teams we areplaying putting only two or three runs on the board."

Penny (15-4), who experienced a pair of three-game winlessstreaks sandwiched around a win on August 15, won for just thesecond time since July 26 after going 14-1 in 21 starts to beginthe season. The righthander worked around a hit and two walksin the first inning by forcing Derrek Lee to ground into one ofthree double plays that the Dodgers turned in support for theirace on the evening.


"Getting out of the first inning was huge for me," Penny said."I had great defense behind me with the guys turning thosedouble plays, I worked with the lead all night and that madethings a lot easier."


In all, Los Angeles turned a season-high five double plays.

"The guys in the middle - Jeff Kent and Rafael Furcal - havedone a great job turning them (double plays) all year," Littlesaid. "We need to keep doing that for the rest of the season."

Overall, Penny yielded two runs - one earned - and seven hits,marking the 17th time in 28 starts that he allowed one earnedrun or less in a start this season.


"I wasn't great tonight; I was a little erratic," Penny said."I just competed like I know I can and had those big doubleplays to bail me out."


Two days after posting a three-hit effort in Sunday's 5-0 winover San Diego to start the Dodgers' current winning streak,Kemp recorded his second four-hit in his last 14 games, reachingbase in all five plate appearances.


"I am seeing the ball real well right now," Kemp said. "I gotsome good pitches to hit and I took advantage of it, hopefully,I can keep it going."


After reaching first base in his first plate appearance due tothird baseman Aramis Ramirez's fielding error, the 22-year-oldsingled in his next three at-bats before capping off hisperformance with his fifth career triple.


Steve Trachsel (0-1), who was acquired from Baltimore justbefore the non-waiver trading deadline on Friday in exchange fortwo minor leaguers, took the loss in the first start of hissecond tour of duty with the Cubs. The 36-year-old, who spentseven seasons with Chicago, allowed three runs and seven hits insix innings.


"It felt good to be out there," Trachsel said. "The game waswhat I thought it would be with the crowd going nuts. It was alot of fun."