A terrible second inning for the Cubs has put them in hole that will be tough to dig out of.Two Chicago errors helped lead to five Dodger runs in the second inning alone and the offense barely showed any signs of life until it was too late in a tough 10-3 loss in Game 2 of the NLCS. Los Angeles now leads the series 2-0 heading back to the West Coast. Carlos Zambrano pitched well for the Cubs, despite seven runs allowed (three were earned). With a little bit of help by his defense, it would have been a different outing for him.
With runners at first and third and nobody out, Zambrano struck out Matt Kemp and it looked like he was going to get out the inning with a ground ball off the bat of Blake Dewitt. However, second baseman Mark Derosa booted the ball and a desperate flip to second base was unsuccessful. Andre Ethier scored on the play and the Dodgers led early 1-0. Casey Blake then hit a sharp ball that bounced off first basemen Derek Lee's glove, loading the bases with still only one out. After a strikeout by Chad Billingsley, Rafael Furcal reached on a nifty bunt single, and Russell Martin followed with a bases clearing double to put Los Angeles ahead 5-0.
With runners at first and third and nobody out, Zambrano struck out Matt Kemp and it looked like he was going to get out the inning with a ground ball off the bat of Blake Dewitt. However, second baseman Mark Derosa booted the ball and a desperate flip to second base was unsuccessful. Andre Ethier scored on the play and the Dodgers led early 1-0. Casey Blake then hit a sharp ball that bounced off first basemen Derek Lee's glove, loading the bases with still only one out. After a strikeout by Chad Billingsley, Rafael Furcal reached on a nifty bunt single, and Russell Martin followed with a bases clearing double to put Los Angeles ahead 5-0.
Manny Ramirez would add a solo home run in the fifth inning. It was his second of the series and 26th in his postseason career.
The Dodgers plated another run on Kemp's RBI double in the seventh and scored two runs in the eighth on a pair of single by Furcal and Ramirez. They capped off the scoring in the ninth, when Casey blake singled home Juan Pierre with the tenth and final run of the night.
Billingsley was lights out on the mound for the Dodgers. Over 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball, he struck out seven and gave up five hits. Billingsley was the ERA leader among Dodger starting pitchers this season, and he certainly showcased his talent tonight.
Billingsley was lights out on the mound for the Dodgers. Over 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball, he struck out seven and gave up five hits. Billingsley was the ERA leader among Dodger starting pitchers this season, and he certainly showcased his talent tonight.
Alfonso Soriano, one of the streakiest players in the game today, has struggled so far just as he did last postseason. He is 1-8 in this series and 3-23 in the playoffs dating back to last October. Kosuke Fukodome is also struggling mightily and will not start Game 3 on Saturday, according to manager Lou Piniella. The whole lineup is not producing and it needs to turn around in a hurry. The Cubs offense has scored a total of 11 runs in their last five postseason games. The bats better wake up if they are going to come back and force a game five at Wrigley Field.
A couple of runs in the ninth by the Cubs gave the fans a little bit to cheer for, but the final result is the same. Chicago faces a 2-0 deficit heading to Dodger Stadium and not too many would have imagined this scenario.
Shawn Marosek
A couple of runs in the ninth by the Cubs gave the fans a little bit to cheer for, but the final result is the same. Chicago faces a 2-0 deficit heading to Dodger Stadium and not too many would have imagined this scenario.
Shawn Marosek
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