Anthony Rizzo hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off closer Kenley Jansen in the ninth, lifting the Chicago Cubs to a 2-1 victory over the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night.
The Cubs blew early leads and got outscored 12-6 in losing the first two games of the series, which has featured 12 home runs and 17 of 20 runs scored on homers.
Yu Darvish was booed heavily in his return to Dodger Stadium for the first time since getting roughed up in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series when he pitched for Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws to a Chicago Cubs batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, June 15, 2019. (AP PhotoAlex Gallardo)
Jansen hit Kris Bryant in the arm leading off the ninth. Rizzo followed with his 19th homer, sending a 2-0 pitch into the lower right-field seats.
Jansen (2-2) retired the next three batters, including two on strikeouts, to end the inning, but the damage was done.
After Justin Turner grounded out and Cody Bellinger struck out, Pedro Strop walked Max Muncy to put the tying runner on in the bottom of the inning. But Max Beaty struck out swinging to end it and give Strop his eighth save.
Los Angeles Dodgers' Alex Verdugo points skyward after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, June 15, 2019. (AP PhotoAlex Gallardo)
Kyle Ryan (2-1) got the victory with one-third inning of relief.
Jansen spoiled a gem by Walker Buehler, who outdueled Darvish with seven scoreless innings.
Buehler struck out six and walked none. He has struck out 26 in his last three starts, while allowing only one earned run in 22 innings.
Los Angeles Dodgers' Alex Verdugo, right, and Cody Bellinger smile after Verdugo's solo home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, June 15, 2019. (AP PhotoAlex Gallardo)
Buehler retired his first 10 batters before Bryant was safe at first on a throwing error by shortstop Enriquè Hernàndez in the fourth.
Buehler then retired his next six straight batters before giving up back-to-back singles to Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber in the sixth. But Bryant flied out to right and Rizzo grounded out to Buehler to end the inning.
Alex Verdugo homered on the first pitch from Darvish leading off the fourth to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish waits after giving up a solo home run to Los Angeles Dodgers' Alex Verdugo during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, June 15, 2019. (AP PhotoAlex Gallardo)
In the 2017 World Series, Darvish was chased early as the Houston Astros beat Los Angeles to win their first championship. The Japanese right-hander got hit hard in both of his starts in that Series and some fans blamed him for the Dodgers' defeat.
They booed him during pregame introductions and the noise increased during his first at-bat in the third.
Darvish gave up one run and two hits in seven innings. He struck out 10 — one off his season high — and walked one.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cubs: RHP Kyle Hendricks went on the IL with right shoulder inflammation a day after one of his worst appearances of the season Friday, when he allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings. He leads the team in innings pitched and has a 3.36 ERA and staff-leading 4.69 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
UP NEXT
Cubs: LHP Jose Quintana (4-6, 3.89 ERA) has lost his last five decisions. He's 1-3 with a 5.13 ERA in seven road starts.
Dodgers: LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (9-1, 1.36) is 1-1 with a 4.24 ERA in three career starts against the Cubs.
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