Crow-Armstrong goes deep twice as the Cubs sweep Ohtani and the Dodgers with a wild 7-6 win

CHICAGO (AP) — Pete Crow-Armstrong homered twice and drove in four runs, and the Chicago Cubs swept Shohei Ohtani and the struggling Los Angeles Dodgers with a wild 7-6 victory on Wednesday.

Nico Hoerner added three hits as Chicago won for the fourth time in five games. The Cubs also improved to 32-15 since June 11, strengthening their hold on the top spot in the NL wild-card standings.

Los Angeles was swept for the second straight series. The two-time defending World Series champions have dropped six in a row for the first time since a seven-game skid in July 2025.

Ohtani went deep twice for the NL West-leading Dodgers, and Max Muncy connected for a three-run homer in a five-run eighth inning. Mookie Betts had four hits after he batted just .167 (15 for 90) in his previous 25 games.

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman was replaced in the fifth after a pitch hit the side of his right hand on a foul ball. X-rays were negative, and Freeman said he was OK.

Ohtani and Crow-Armstrong exchanged leadoff homers in the first, continuing what has become a two-man race for NL MVP.

Chicago added two more in the second on RBI doubles by Dansby Swanson and Crow-Armstrong off Eric Lauer (6-6). Crow-Armstrong made it 5-1 with a two-run shot in the fourth that went off the videoboard in right field, his 26th of the season.

Chicago left-hander Shota Imanaga (8-9) scattered eight hits while working five innings of one-run ball. He struck out six and walked none.

Los Angeles rallied in the eighth. Ohtani's two-run homer off Ryan Zeferjahn, his 26th, trimmed Chicago's lead to one. The Dodgers had a runner on second when Kiké Hernández struck out swinging, ending the inning.

Jacob Webb worked a perfect ninth for his sixth save.

Dodgers: RHP Roki Sasaki (5-5, 4.64 ERA) starts Friday night in the opener of a series at Arizona.

Cubs: LHP David Peterson (6-7, 5.52 ERA) starts on Thursday against Toronto in the makeup of a June 21 rainout. RHP Dylan Cease (7-5, 2.41) takes the mound for the Blue Jays.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga throws to a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Eric Lauer (33) throws to a Chicago Cubs batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani celebrates in the dugout with teammates after hitting a home during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Chicago Cubs designated hitter Pete Crow-Armstrong drops the bat after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Chicago, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Chicago Cubs designated hitter Pete Crow-Armstrong gestures while running the bases after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Chicago, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

CINCINNATI (AP) — Matt McLain homered, Rhett Lowder won for the first time since April and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Athletics 3-2 on Wednesday night.

The Reds are 12-6 since the All-Star break to improve to 55-58. The Athletics have lost seven straight to fall to 45-69. They have dropped 12 series in a row.

Lowder (4-7) allowed two earned runs on four hits in sixth innings. It was his first win since April 20, spanning 11 starts and three relief appearances.

Emilio Pagán pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 13th save.

Sal Stewart reached on an infield single and scored on Marte’s sacrifice fly to give Cincinnati a 3-2 lead in the sixth.

Lawrence Butler hit his seventh home run of the season on the fourth pitch of the game off Lowder. It was his eighth career leadoff homer, first this season.

Athletics starter Jacob Lopez struck out the first four batters before Noelvi Marte singled, stole second, and scored on Jose Trevino's single.

Lopez allowed two earned runs on four hits through five innings with a walk and finished with nine strikeouts, one shy of his career high.

McLain put the Reds ahead 2-1 in the fifth with his ninth home run of the season, and the first since June 7 when he homered twice at St. Lous. The A's tied it at 2 in the sixth when Tyler Soderstrom singled and scored on Jonah Heim's double.

Hayden Juenger (0-1) was the loser.

RHP Mason Barnett (1-1, 4.85 ERA) was set to start for the A's on Thursday in the series finale. The Reds hadn't announced a starter.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Athletics in Cincinnati, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Athletics' Lawrence Butler (4) celebrates with Jacob Wilson (5) after Butler hit a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, left, takes the throw as Athletics Henry Bolte, right, is safe at second base during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Cincinnati, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Athletics in Cincinnati, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Emilio Pagán reacts after striking out Athletics' Tommy White during the ninth inning to win a baseball game in Cincinnati, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)