GAME THREAD: NL: LA DODGERS (73-66) at CHICAGO CUBS (71-67)

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - SCORING UPDATE
THREE-RUN HOME RUN BY ANDRE ETHIER (11) TO LEFT WITH 0 OUT
IN THE 9TH OFF RYAN DEMPSTER SCORED RUSSELL MARTIN AND WILSON
VALDEZ.
CURRENT SCORE: LA DODGERS 6, CHICAGO CUBS 4

DUE UP FOR LA DODGERS: T ABREU (.292, 1-FOR-2, BB)</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: M Sweeney hit for J Beimel.
SITUATION: 3 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: LA DODGERS 6
CHICAGO CUBS 4 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR LA DODGERS: M Sweeney (.248, 2 HR, 13 RBI)</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - PITCHING CHANGE
CHN: MIKE WUERTZ (2-3, 3.66) IN THE 9TH
SITUATION: 3 RUNS IN, J PIERRE ON FIRST, R FURCAL ON THIRD, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: LA DODGERS 6, CHICAGO CUBS 4

DUE UP FOR LADODGERS: M KEMP (.341, 1-FOR-4, HR, RBI)</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: M Wuertz relieved R Dempster.
SITUATION: 3 RUNS IN, J PIERRE ON FIRST, R FURCAL ON THIRD, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: LA DODGERS 6
CHICAGO CUBS 4 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR LA DODGERS: M Kemp (.341, 1-FOR-4, HR, RBI)</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - SCORING UPDATE
WILD PITCH BY MIKE WUERTZ ALLOWED RAFAEL FURCAL TO SCORE.
SITUATION: 4 RUNS IN, J PIERRE ON SECOND, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: LA DODGERS 7
CHICAGO CUBS 4 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR LA DODGERS: M KEMP (.341, 1-FOR-4, HR, RBI)</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
LA DODGERS 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 4 7 10 0
CHICAGO CUBS 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 4 7 0 (BOT 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: LOS - JOE BEIMEL (OUT)
CHN - MIKE WUERTZ

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: F PIE (.215, 2 HR, 19 RBI)
A SORIANO (.300, 2-FOR-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI)
R THERIOT (.282, 1-FOR-4)</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">LA DODGERS (7) VS CHICAGO CUBS (4) - MID 9TH - IN PROGRESS

LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 5 1 0 0 0 0 1 .274
J Pierre cf 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .291
M Kemp rf 5 1 1 1 0 1 4 .339
L Gonzalez lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .279
R Martin c 4 2 2 0 0 1 0 .298
J Loney 1b 4 1 3 2 0 1 0 .314
W Valdez pr 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .236
A LaRoche 3b 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .196
a-A Ethier ph 1 1 1 3 0 0 0 .290
T Abreu 2b 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .289
D Lowe p 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .113
J Broxton p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Beimel p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-M Sweeney ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .255

Totals 36 7 10 6 1 5 8

a-homered to left for A Laroche in the 9th; b-singled to right for J Beimel in
the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - J Loney (15, J Marquis). HR - J Loney (7, 5th inning off J
Marquis 0 on, 2 Out), M Kemp (10, 8th inning off B Howry 0 on, 2 Out), A Ethier
(11, 9th inning off R Dempster 2 on, 0 Out). S - D Lowe. RBI - J Loney 2 (42),
M Kemp (36), A Ethier 3 (58). 2-out RBI - J Loney, M Kemp. Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - D Lowe 1, M Kemp 2. Team LOB - 5.

BASERUNNING: SB - R Furcal (17, 2nd base off R Dempster/J Kendall), J Pierre
(56, 2nd base off M Wuertz/J Kendall).

FIELDING: DP: 1 (A LaRoche-T Abreu-J Loney).


CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Soriano lf 4 2 2 4 0 1 0 .300
R Theriot ss 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .282
D Lee 1b 3 0 2 0 1 1 1 .311
D Ward rf 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 .337
a-A Ramirez ph 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .317
R Cedeno pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .111
B Howry p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
R Dempster p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
M Wuertz p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
M DeRosa 3b 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .291
J Jones cf-rf 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .265
J Kendall c 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 .281
M Fontenot 2b 4 1 2 0 0 1 0 .283
J Marquis p 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .145
b-C Floyd ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .287
S Fuld pr-rf 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000
F Pie cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .215

Totals 29 4 7 4 5 6 9

a-hit by pitch for D Ward in the 7th; b-walked for J Marquis in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - R Theriot (29, D Lowe). HR - A Soriano 2 (22, 1st inning off D
Lowe 0 on, 0 Out, 7th inning off J Broxton 2 on, 0 Out). RBI - A Soriano 4
(49). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - D Ward 1, J Jones 1, J Marquis
1. GIDP - M DeRosa. Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: Picked Off - D Ward (1st base, R Martin).


----------------------------------------------------
LA DODGERS - 000 010 114 -- 7
CHICAGO CUBS - 100 000 30 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
D Lowe 6 5 3 3 5 5 1 3.80
J Broxton 1/3 2 1 1 0 0 1 2.25
J Beimel 1 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.94

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
J Marquis 7 4 2 2 1 4 1 4.13
B Howry 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 3.63
R Dempster 2/3 5 4 4 0 0 1 3.88
M Wuertz 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.64

D Lowe pitched to 2 batters in the 7th.

WP - M Wuertz. IBB - T Abreu (by J Marquis). HBP - J Pierre (by J Marquis); A
Ramirez (by J Beimel). Pitches-strikes: D Lowe 96-55; J Broxton 9-6; J Beimel
17-13; J Marquis 91-59; B Howry 10-7; R Dempster 28-22; M Wuertz 4-4. Ground
balls-fly balls: D Lowe 10-2; J Broxton 1-0; J Beimel 3-1; J Marquis 9-8; B
Howry 0-3; R Dempster 2-0; M Wuertz 0-0. Batters faced: D Lowe 27; J Broxton 3;
J Beimel 5; J Marquis 27; B Howry 4; R Dempster 7; M Wuertz 1.

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

Weather: 81 degrees, overcast. Wind: 12 mph, out to left.</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - PITCHING CHANGE
LOS: TAKASHI SAITO (1-0, 1.31) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: LA DODGERS 7, CHICAGO CUBS 4

DUE UP FOR CHCUBS: F PIE (.215, 2 HR, 19 RBI)</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: T Saito relieved J Beimel.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: LA DODGERS 7
CHICAGO CUBS 4 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: F Pie (.215, 2 HR, 19 RBI)</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: R Martinez at third base.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: LA DODGERS 7
CHICAGO CUBS 4 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: F Pie (.215, 2 HR, 19 RBI)</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: A Ethier in left field.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: LA DODGERS 7
CHICAGO CUBS 4 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: F Pie (.215, 2 HR, 19 RBI)</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: M Sweeney at first base.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: LA DODGERS 7
CHICAGO CUBS 4 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: F Pie (.215, 2 HR, 19 RBI)</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 0 1 0 1 1 4 7 10 0
CHICAGO CUBS 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 4 7 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: LOS - DEREK LOWE, JONATHAN BROXTON (7TH), JOE BEIMEL (7TH), TAKASHI
SAITO (9TH) AND RUSSELL MARTIN

CHN - JASON MARQUIS, BOBBY HOWRY (8TH), RYAN DEMPSTER
(9TH), MIKE WUERTZ (9TH) AND JASON KENDALL

HOME RUNS: LOS - JAMES LONEY (7) OFF JASON MARQUIS IN THE 5TH, 0 ON
MATT KEMP (10) OFF BOBBY HOWRY IN THE 8TH, 0 ON
ANDRE ETHIER (11) OFF RYAN DEMPSTER IN THE 9TH, 2 ON

CHN - ALFONSO SORIANO (21) OFF DEREK LOWE IN THE 1ST, 0 ON
ALFONSO SORIANO (22) OFF JONATHAN BROXTON IN THE 7TH, 2 ON</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 0 1 0 1 1 4 7 10 0
CHICAGO CUBS 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 4 7 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: LOS - DEREK LOWE, JONATHAN BROXTON (7TH), JOE BEIMEL (7TH), TAKASHI
SAITO (9TH) AND RUSSELL MARTIN

CHN - JASON MARQUIS, BOBBY HOWRY (8TH), RYAN DEMPSTER
(9TH), MIKE WUERTZ (9TH) AND JASON KENDALL


WP - JOE BEIMEL (4-1)
LP - RYAN DEMPSTER (2-5)
SAVE - TAKASHI SAITO (37)

HOME RUNS: LOS - JAMES LONEY (7) OFF JASON MARQUIS IN THE 5TH, 0 ON
MATT KEMP (10) OFF BOBBY HOWRY IN THE 8TH, 0 ON
ANDRE ETHIER (11) OFF RYAN DEMPSTER IN THE 9TH, 2 ON

CHN - ALFONSO SORIANO (21) OFF DEREK LOWE IN THE 1ST, 0 ON
ALFONSO SORIANO (22) OFF JONATHAN BROXTON IN THE 7TH, 2 ON



TIME: 2:46 ATT: 39,397

PROBABLES: CHN - RICH HILL (8-7, 3.84)
PIT - TOM GORZELANNY (13-7, 3.57)

PROBABLES: LOS - CHAD BILLINGSLEY (10-4, 3.30)
SFO - JONATHAN SANCHEZ (1-3, 5.27)</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">LA DODGERS (7) VS CHICAGO CUBS (4) - FINAL

LA DODGERS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Furcal ss 5 1 0 0 0 0 1 .274
J Pierre cf 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .291
M Kemp rf 5 1 1 1 0 1 4 .339
L Gonzalez lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .279
T Saito p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
R Martin c 4 2 2 0 0 1 0 .298
J Loney 1b 4 1 3 2 0 1 0 .314
W Valdez pr 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .236
R Martinez 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .185
A LaRoche 3b 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .196
a-A Ethier ph-lf 1 1 1 3 0 0 0 .290
T Abreu 2b 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .289
D Lowe p 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .113
J Broxton p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Beimel p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-M Sweeney ph-1b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .255

Totals 36 7 10 6 1 5 8

a-homered to left for A Laroche in the 9th; b-singled to right for J Beimel in
the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - J Loney (15, J Marquis). HR - J Loney (7, 5th inning off J
Marquis 0 on, 2 Out), M Kemp (10, 8th inning off B Howry 0 on, 2 Out), A Ethier
(11, 9th inning off R Dempster 2 on, 0 Out). S - D Lowe. RBI - J Loney 2 (42),
M Kemp (36), A Ethier 3 (58). 2-out RBI - J Loney, M Kemp. Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - D Lowe 1, M Kemp 2. Team LOB - 5.

BASERUNNING: SB - R Furcal (17, 2nd base off R Dempster/J Kendall), J Pierre
(56, 2nd base off M Wuertz/J Kendall).

FIELDING: DP: 1 (A LaRoche-T Abreu-J Loney).


CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Soriano lf 5 2 2 4 0 2 0 .299
R Theriot ss 5 0 1 0 0 1 0 .282
D Lee 1b 3 0 2 0 1 1 1 .311
D Ward rf 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 .337
a-A Ramirez ph 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .317
R Cedeno pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .111
B Howry p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
R Dempster p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
M Wuertz p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
M DeRosa 3b 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .291
J Jones cf-rf 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .265
J Kendall c 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 .281
M Fontenot 2b 4 1 2 0 0 1 0 .283
J Marquis p 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .145
b-C Floyd ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .287
S Fuld pr-rf 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000
F Pie cf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .213

Totals 32 4 7 4 5 8 9

a-hit by pitch for D Ward in the 7th; b-walked for J Marquis in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - R Theriot (29, D Lowe). HR - A Soriano 2 (22, 1st inning off D
Lowe 0 on, 0 Out, 7th inning off J Broxton 2 on, 0 Out). RBI - A Soriano 4
(49). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - D Ward 1, J Jones 1, J Marquis
1. GIDP - M DeRosa. Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: Picked Off - D Ward (1st base, R Martin).


----------------------------------------------------
LA DODGERS - 000 010 114 -- 7
CHICAGO CUBS - 100 000 300 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

LA DODGERS ip h r er bb so hr era
D Lowe 6 5 3 3 5 5 1 3.80
J Broxton (B, 4) 1/3 2 1 1 0 0 1 2.25
J Beimel (W, 4-1) 1 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.94
T Saito (S, 37) 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 1.29

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
J Marquis 7 4 2 2 1 4 1 4.13
B Howry (H, 20) 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 3.63
R Dempster (L, 2-5; B, 3) 2/3 5 4 4 0 0 1 3.88
M Wuertz 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.64

D Lowe pitched to 2 batters in the 7th.

WP - M Wuertz. IBB - T Abreu (by J Marquis). HBP - J Pierre (by J Marquis); A
Ramirez (by J Beimel). Pitches-strikes: D Lowe 96-55; J Broxton 9-6; J Beimel
17-13; T Saito 10-7; J Marquis 91-59; B Howry 10-7; R Dempster 28-22; M Wuertz
4-4. Ground balls-fly balls: D Lowe 10-2; J Broxton 1-0; J Beimel 3-1; T Saito
0-1; J Marquis 9-8; B Howry 0-3; R Dempster 2-0; M Wuertz 0-0. Batters faced: D
Lowe 27; J Broxton 3; J Beimel 5; T Saito 3; J Marquis 27; B Howry 4; R
Dempster 7; M Wuertz 1.

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

T--2:46. Att--39,397.
Weather: 81 degrees, overcast. Wind: 12 mph, out to
left.</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
LA DODGERS 7
CHICAGO CUBS 4 FINAL</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LA DODGERS (7) AT CHICAGO CUBS (4) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: A Soriano homered to left center. R Theriot grounded out
to third. D Lee singled to center. D Ward walked, D Lee to second. D Ward
picked off first. M DeRosa walked. J Jones struck out swinging. (1 Run,
2 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 0, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

LA DODGERS 5TH: L Gonzalez flied out to center. R Martin struck out
swinging. J Loney homered to right. A LaRoche struck out swinging. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 1, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

LA DODGERS 7TH: L Gonzalez struck out looking. R Martin singled to left
center. J Loney doubled to deep right center, R Martin scored. A LaRoche
popped out to third. T Abreu intentionally walked. D Lowe flied out to
center. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 2, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 7TH: M Fontenot singled to right center. C Floyd hit for
J Marquis. C Floyd walked, M Fontenot to second. J Broxton relieved D Lowe.
S Fuld ran for C Floyd. A Soriano homered to left center, M Fontenot and
S Fuld scored. R Theriot grounded out to second. D Lee singled to right
center. J Beimel relieved J Broxton. A Ramirez hit for D Ward. A Ramirez hit
by pitch, D Lee to second. R Cedeno ran for A Ramirez. M DeRosa grounded into
double play, third to second to first, R Cedeno out at second.(3 Runs, 3 Hits,
0 Errors) LA DODGERS 2, CHICAGO CUBS 4.

LA DODGERS 8TH: B Howry relieved J Marquis. S Fuld in right field. R Furcal
popped out to first. J Pierre flied out to right. M Kemp homered to center.
L Gonzalez popped out to shortstop. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3,
CHICAGO CUBS 4.

LA DODGERS 9TH: R Dempster relieved B Howry. J Jones in right field. F Pie
in center field. R Martin singled to right. J Loney reached on infield single
to first, R Martin to second. A Ethier hit for A LaRoche. W Valdez ran for
J Loney. A Ethier homered to left, R Martin and W Valdez scored. T Abreu
grounded out to second. M Sweeney hit for J Beimel. M Sweeney singled to
right. R Furcal grounded into fielder's choice to second, M Sweeney out at
second. R Furcal stole second. J Pierre reached on infield single to second,
R Furcal to third. M Wuertz relieved R Dempster. J Pierre stole second,
R Furcal scored on M Wuertz' wild pitch. M Kemp struck out swinging. (4 Runs,
5 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 7, CHICAGO CUBS 4.</div>

 

NL: LA DODGERS at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LA DODGERS (7) AT CHICAGO CUBS (4) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

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

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


Gametime Weather: 81 degrees, Overcast, wind out to left at 12 mph.


LA DODGERS 1ST: R Furcal flied out to center. J Pierre grounded out to
first. M Kemp grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA DODGERS 0, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: A Soriano homered to left center. R Theriot grounded out
to third. D Lee singled to center. D Ward walked, D Lee to second. D Ward
picked off first. M DeRosa walked. J Jones struck out swinging. (1 Run,
2 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 0, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

LA DODGERS 2ND: L Gonzalez grounded out to second. R Martin lined out to
center. J Loney struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 0,
CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: J Kendall lined out to left. M Fontenot grounded out to
second. J Marquis grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA DODGERS 0, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

LA DODGERS 3RD: A LaRoche grounded out to third. T Abreu lined out to
center. D Lowe flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 0,
CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 3RD: A Soriano struck out swinging. R Theriot struck out
looking. D Lee walked. D Ward grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) LA DODGERS 0, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

LA DODGERS 4TH: R Furcal bunt grounded out to pitcher. J Pierre grounded
out to second. M Kemp popped out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA DODGERS 0, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: M DeRosa grounded out to second. J Jones grounded out to
shortstop. J Kendall walked. M Fontenot singled to right, J Kendall to third.
J Marquis grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 0,
CHICAGO CUBS 1.

LA DODGERS 5TH: L Gonzalez flied out to center. R Martin struck out
swinging. J Loney homered to right. A LaRoche struck out swinging. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 1, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 5TH: A Soriano flied out to center. R Theriot doubled to deep
right center. D Lee struck out swinging. D Ward grounded out to second.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 1, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

LA DODGERS 6TH: T Abreu singled to center. D Lowe sacrificed to pitcher,
T Abreu to second. R Furcal grounded out to second, T Abreu to third.
J Pierre hit by pitch. M Kemp grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) LA DODGERS 1, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 6TH: M DeRosa grounded out to shortstop. J Jones struck out
swinging. J Kendall grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA DODGERS 1, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

LA DODGERS 7TH: L Gonzalez struck out looking. R Martin singled to left
center. J Loney doubled to deep right center, R Martin scored. A LaRoche
popped out to third. T Abreu intentionally walked. D Lowe flied out to
center. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 2, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 7TH: M Fontenot singled to right center. C Floyd hit for
J Marquis. C Floyd walked, M Fontenot to second. J Broxton relieved D Lowe.
S Fuld ran for C Floyd. A Soriano homered to left center, M Fontenot and
S Fuld scored. R Theriot grounded out to second. D Lee singled to right
center. J Beimel relieved J Broxton. A Ramirez hit for D Ward. A Ramirez hit
by pitch, D Lee to second. R Cedeno ran for A Ramirez. M DeRosa grounded into
double play, third to second to first, R Cedeno out at second.(3 Runs, 3 Hits,
0 Errors) LA DODGERS 2, CHICAGO CUBS 4.

LA DODGERS 8TH: B Howry relieved J Marquis. S Fuld in right field. R Furcal
popped out to first. J Pierre flied out to right. M Kemp homered to center.
L Gonzalez popped out to shortstop. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 3,
CHICAGO CUBS 4.

CHICAGO CUBS 8TH: J Jones popped out to third. J Kendall grounded out to
shortstop. M Fontenot struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA DODGERS 3, CHICAGO CUBS 4.

LA DODGERS 9TH: R Dempster relieved B Howry. J Jones in right field. F Pie
in center field. R Martin singled to right. J Loney reached on infield single
to first, R Martin to second. A Ethier hit for A LaRoche. W Valdez ran for
J Loney. A Ethier homered to left, R Martin and W Valdez scored. T Abreu
grounded out to second. M Sweeney hit for J Beimel. M Sweeney singled to
right. R Furcal grounded into fielder's choice to second, M Sweeney out at
second. R Furcal stole second. J Pierre reached on infield single to second,
R Furcal to third. M Wuertz relieved R Dempster. J Pierre stole second,
R Furcal scored on M Wuertz' wild pitch. M Kemp struck out swinging. (4 Runs,
5 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 7, CHICAGO CUBS 4.

CHICAGO CUBS 9TH: T Saito relieved J Beimel. R Martinez at third base.
A Ethier in left field. M Sweeney at first base. F Pie struck out swinging.
A Soriano struck out swinging. R Theriot popped out to second. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA DODGERS 7, CHICAGO CUBS 4.</div>

 

Ethier's blast helps Dodgers rally past Cubs

<h3>LA DODGERS 7, CHICAGO CUBS 4</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Andre Ethier blasted the Los AngelesDodgers a little closer to the lead in the National League WestDivision.


Ethier belted a pinch-hit three-run homer in the ninth inning asthe Dodgers rallied to defeat the Chicago Cubs, 7-4, onThursday afternoon.


James Loney went 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBI and Matt Kempalso homered for Los Angeles (74-66), which narrowed its deficitin the tight NL West standings.


After taking three of four in this series against the Cubs, theDodgers cut their margin to 3 1/2 games behind thedivision-leading Arizona Diamondbacks (78-63). Los Angeles alsoclimbed within 2 1/2 games of the wild card-leading San DiegoPadres (76-63).


Los Angeles will get a chance to hack away at those deficitsfurther, as it plays Arizona six more times this season and SanDiego on three more occasions.


Meanwhile, Chicago (71-68) dropped into a first-place tie withthe idle Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. Chicago also sawits lead over the third-place St. Louis Cardinals shrink to 11/2 games. St. Louis plays the Pittsburgh Pirates later onThursday.


With the Dodgers trailing, 4-3, in the ninth, Russell Martin andLoney both singled off Cubs closer Ryan Dempster (2-5).

That set the stage for before Ethier, who drilled an 0-1 pitchinto the left field seats to give Los Angeles a 6-4 lead. Itwas the 11th homer of the season for Ethier, who was batting forrookie Andy LaRoche.


It was Dempster's third blown save of the season and his firstsince June 10 vs. the Atlanta Braves. The erratic righthanderhad successfully converted his previous 13 save opportunities.

The Dodgers added an insurance run later in the ninth whenRafael Furcal scored on a wild pitch by reliever Michael Wuertzto make it 7-4.


Joe Beimel (4-1) earned the victory for the Dodgers, hurling 12/3 innings of hitless relief. Closer Takashi Saito pitched theninth to record his 37th save in 40 opportunities.

After Alfonso Soriano led off the bottom of the first with ahomer off Derek Lowe to give the Cubs an early 1-0 lead, Loneyevened things in the fifth.


Chicago starter Jason Marquis had retired the first 14 Dodgersbefore Loney drilled a 2-0 offering over the wall in right fieldto forge a 1-1 tie.


Loney came through again in the seventh when, after Martinsingled, the Dodgers first baseman hammered a run-scoring doubleinto the right-center field gap to give Los Angeles a 2-1 lead.

However, it looked as if Soriano would be the hero in this one.

With runners on first and second in the bottom of the seventh,Soriano hit 3-1 fastball off Jonathan Broxton over the wall inleft-center to give Chicago a 4-2 advantage. It was Soriano's18th multi-homer game of his career - including three in 2007.

Matt Kemp homered in the top of the eighth to cut Los Angeles'deficit to 4-3.


Lowe allowed a run, five hits and a season-high tying five walksin six innings.


Marquis yielded two runs, four hits and a walk in seven innings.

The leadoff homer by Soriano was his seventh of the season,making him the only player in major league history to have fourseasons with seven or more leadoff blasts.

 

Ethier's blast helps Dodgers rally past Cubs

<h3>LA DODGERS 7, CHICAGO CUBS 4</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Andre Ethier blasted the Los AngelesDodgers a little closer to the lead in the National League WestDivision.


Ethier belted a pinch-hit three-run homer in the ninth inning asthe Dodgers rallied to defeat the Chicago Cubs, 7-4, onThursday afternoon.


James Loney went 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBI and Matt Kempalso homered for Los Angeles (74-66), which narrowed its deficitin the tight NL West standings.


"The way we came back was great," Loney said. "It's nice tohave a three-hit game, but it's more important that it comes ina win."


After taking three of four in this series against the Cubs, theDodgers cut their margin to 3 1/2 games behind thedivision-leading Arizona Diamondbacks (78-63). Los Angeles alsoclimbed within 2 1/2 games of the wild card-leading San DiegoPadres (76-63).


"We put together two or three big wins lately," Dodgers managerGrady Little said. "The way we're playing now, I think we havea chance to win a few more like this as the season winds down."

Los Angeles will get a chance to hack away at those deficitsfurther, as it plays Arizona six more times this season and SanDiego on three more occasions.


Meanwhile, Chicago (71-68) dropped into a first-place tie withthe idle Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. Chicago also sawits lead over the third-place St. Louis Cardinals shrink to 11/2 games. St. Louis plays the Pittsburgh Pirates later onThursday. "We're going to have to get hot one time," Cubsmanager Lou Piniella said. "I don't know when, but one (more)time. (We need) one more streak."


With the Dodgers trailing, 4-3, in the ninth, Russell Martin andLoney both singled off Cubs closer Ryan Dempster (2-5).

That set the stage for before Ethier, who drilled an 0-1 pitchinto the left field seats to give Los Angeles a 6-4 lead.

"You're looking for a pitch you can get up in the air," Ethiersaid. "Luckily for me, Dempster hung one up there for me. Iwas fortunate to hit it out."


"I got ahead of (Ethier), made a good pitch, but I left the ballover the plate a bit too much," Dempster said. "I think it(stunk) because there were two men on base."


It was the 11th homer of the season for Ethier, who was battingfor rookie Andy LaRoche.


It was Dempster's third blown save of the season and his firstsince June 10 vs. the Atlanta Braves.


"I didn't execute pitches today when I got ahead," Dempsteradded. "I got ahead of everyone. 0-2, 0-1, 1-2, I didn't putguys away. I left some pitches up."


The erratic righthander had successfully converted his previous13 save opportunities.


The Dodgers added an insurance run later in the ninth whenRafael Furcal scored on a wild pitch by reliever Michael Wuertzto make it 7-4.


Joe Beimel (4-1) earned the victory for the Dodgers, hurling 12/3 innings of hitless relief. Closer Takashi Saito pitched theninth to record his 37th save in 40 opportunities.

After Alfonso Soriano led off the bottom of the first with ahomer off Derek Lowe to give the Cubs an early 1-0 lead, Loneyevened things in the fifth.


Chicago starter Jason Marquis had retired the first 14 Dodgersbefore Loney drilled a 2-0 offering over the wall in right fieldto forge a 1-1 tie.


Loney came through again in the seventh when, after Martinsingled, the Dodgers first baseman hammered a run-scoring doubleinto the right-center field gap to give Los Angeles a 2-1 lead.

However, it looked as if Soriano would be the hero in this one.

With runners on first and second in the bottom of the seventh,Soriano hit 3-1 fastball off Jonathan Broxton over the wall inleft-center to give Chicago a 4-2 advantage. It was Soriano's18th multi-homer game of his career - including three in 2007.

"I feel very comfortable at home plate," Soriano said. "I thinkI have my hands and swing back, so I'm very excited because Ithink I can help the team."


Kemp homered in the top of the eighth to cut Los Angeles'deficit to 4-3.


Lowe allowed a run, five hits and a season-high tying five walksin six innings.


"Bottom line is that we won today," Lowe said. "It doesn'treally matter how I pitched. This was a team that was in firstplace. We came in and took three out of four. That wastremendous."


Marquis yielded two runs, four hits and a walk in seven innings.

The leadoff homer by Soriano was his seventh of the season,making him the only player in major league history to have fourseasons with seven or more leadoff blasts.