here's the veteran outfielder Ian hat trying to pick up his first knock in the big leag the pitch that one finds the zone and that's how this game gets started swing and a miss in that strike two two St kicks and fires just missing there and that's ball one this a hitter who takes his game to another level playing at [Applause] night 99 milph to finish him off so up next Michael Bush looking for his first big league hit right here that one missing inside one out base is empty and that drops in for a [Applause] strike one down base is empty towards first and he takes it himself for the out batting third now at the plate seya Suzuki SE [Music] Suzuki just missed ball one no [Applause] strike next offering is in for a strike one and one two outs foul ball the pitch and down on strikes he goes and the Cubs go one two three end of a half inning of play and we're back and towing the slab Jordan Wicks safe to say he's pretty stingy Chris well this guy's just been filthy out there on the mound hitters batting under 200 against him and they're just having a hard time squaring up anything doing any type of damage the only way he hurts himself is if he gives up the free passes and surrenders a rare home run but outside of that it's going to be a tough job for the opposing lineup today sh Otani up to the dish bounc to the left side he is saved and he beats the thrill by a whisker here's rookie bets now good Defender he's been inconsistent offensively Line Drive makes the catch for the out Freddy Freeman up to the [Applause] dish Freeman hits it in the air and pulls it in on the Run here's teoscar Hernandez that one hit to right Bellinger sizing it up no trouble here puts it away for the out and that's the inning second inning set to go Bellinger up to hit Bellinger's dad won a couple of World Series rings in 1999 and 2000 playay was a backup infielder with the New York Yankees here comes a pitch swing and a ground ball out to short Roa Smith will throw to first and quickly one away in the second so digging in isach [Applause] Paredes that one missed in the 2023 season Cody's dad clay made a tri R to Wrigley Field and sat in the right field bleachers to watch his Sun play that's kind of cool top of the zone for a called strike and another ball and a two- one on the way a big swing and a miss well as a hitter you're hoping that the command on that Sinker doesn't come until later in the ball game but that's how it's going to be all day it's going to be a tough one for the offense slider got him for strike three off to a strong start singy as he's punched out three of the first five he's faced well he's definitely minimizing contact he can get the swing and miss when he needs it but he'll also keep the defense fresh behind him allowing some balls in play as well Nico her at the plate now that's ball one there's a Strike wow that's 89 on the gun and it's a change up it's like good hitting if you're looking for but because of the speed differential between the fast ball and that pitch really Freeman steps on the bag and it's a one two three inning nothing happening there for the C back here at Dodger Stadium ready to go for the last half of the inning here's the catcher Will Smith the line in the pitch swings here and blast one left field and one hops Off the Wall should be extra bases safe and second with a leadoff double Will Smith with his first major league hit and this is a moment I'm sure he'll never forget congrats yeah great moment for him and his family a guy works so hard and has to wait so long for this to happen and when it does can kind of be overwhelming boo you still have to stay locked in on the game but it's great when you can take a minute to just appre app you and how hard you work to get [Applause] here swing and a miss and a count is 0 and two Patrick Johnson calling the balls and Strikes pretty standard zone for Johnson sometimes he might get a little jumpy a little excited and expand the Zone but usually you at least feel like the pitcher on the mound is earning it and that's important because you got to make players earn it on to First they get the out on Muny Miguel roas at the [Applause] play and there's a foul ball and it's second this one popped up foul ground first base side push pulls that one down and there's two away Tommy Edmund at the plate Light Drive brings it in for the third out one left for La back here at Chavez Ravine and now the short stop Dan B Swanson as he turns on the rubber with that good live arm delivers that one fouled [Applause] off the o1 rolled softly but that goes foul here's the 02 andson misses it's a strike out that was a well executed slider away for the strike out right there first two pitches filled up the zone and got him ahead 02 in the count and at that point can start expanding the zone as a pitcher made him Chase got the quick strike out so up next Pete Crow Armstrong into Center and a base hit just kind of slic that one into Center here's the catcher to hit Miguel [Applause] Laya if were an Aver catcher behind the plate I'd say take second base but this isn't a catcher you want to run on his quick release is unreal [Applause] there's a line drive to left field Di and he can't hang on lead Runner makes the turn at second to third tag got him Miguel Laya with his first major league hit and this is a moment I'm sure he'll never forget congrats yeah great moment for him and his family a guy works so hard and has to wait so long for this to happen and when it does can kind of be overwhelming boo you still have to stay locked in on the game but it's great when you can take a minute to just appreciate what you've done and how hard you work to get here at the belt fins [Applause] out fouls one off two and two Amaya leads off first with two down to the inning swing in a in struck him out and that is that so it's no runs on two base hits no errors and welcome back to the ballpark here's the second baseman Enrique Hernandez Wicks back to work up the middle fires over to First and a quick out number one here's Jo Otani first pitch doesn't find the Zone Bo it looks like somebody missed the swing sign that's the first pitch this team's taken for a ball all game long there's a strike the pitch face hit center field so they get a man aboard with a one out single here's mooki now and there's one thing on his mind this at B getting that first hit at the big league level so Mick Betts with a base hit lead Runner around second and they'll have Runners at the quarters after a one out single the first Runners at first and third and up next for Los Angeles Freddy Freeman fall off foul well all eyes on the double play ball in this spot no better way to get out of this inning step off throw to first and he's back [Applause] safely left the out of the stretch Runners at first and third Dra Ball right side into the Outfield P hit and they strike first as they take a one nothing lead and next will be the cleanup hitter teoscar Hernandez he's over for one there's a strike oh and one and a foul [Applause] ball on the ground a short could be two there's one on to Bush it's a double play but they pick up one run on the RBI single it's now one nothing you're dialed into the show back here in LA on to the fourth so up now for Chicago Michael Bush [Music] here the right hter back to work on the ground and it goes just foul you know these Cubs just lacking discipline at the plate in this ball game they're chasing a lot of pitches outside the zone and those chases are turning into a bunch of outs can they turn that around and stay within the Zone we'll see but I think they have to kicks Indians gets a piece there we'll do it again left hand batter waights inside almost got him that misses the zone two and two really good take especially with two strikes the wi to the pitch and misses it's a strike out he came out of his mechanics there typically likes to shoot the ball the other way but that time little anxious now it's the DH SE [Applause] Suzuki that one back up the middle and it gets through so a man aboard now with one away here's Cody Bellinger Bellinger's won a variety of Awards in his career hasn't he I mean he's been named Rookie of the Year MVP and comeback player of the year now there a few Silver Slugger rewards and he has himself quite the trophy cabinet got a ball work right here's a one1 good eye right there the Dodgers leading by a run top half of inning number four NOP the ball outside low and that's ball three and that one hammered and that should be extra bases rounds third third headed for the plate he will score and the Cubs tied up it's 1-1 so he gets two Milestones with that hit his first big league knock and he drives in his first run as well yeah you love to get both of those out of the way with just one swing of the bat and it makes the special moment even more special it's not just an individual accomplishment when you're also driving in a run for your team that's an IT bat he's never going to forget check swing he went too far and it's St beler the runner at second with one [Applause] away close one doesn't get the call ball two well I think he's trying to get a feel for where that one missed I mean it could have gone either way but he looked a little shocked for a second there Hernandez makes the grab two down good pitch he just kind of had him out in front on that pitch away and wasn't able to stay closed here's Nico horer grounded out his first time just missed count one and0 in the air to left Center Edmond sizes this one up he's got it and that'll end the inning Cubs pick up a run on the RBI double all even now at 1-1 you're watching Major League bottom of of the inning and at the plate for the Dodgers Will Smith as the Lefty gets to work High Fly ball out to left field and there's one down here comes Max Muny ripped on a line div in it gets down could be extra bases not stopping he's going for three and he's got himself a triple so one gone with a runner at third Miguel Roos steps to the plate for the Dodgers popped out and fouled ground first time through n Drive face hit in comes the runner from third it's 2-1 one down runner at first and next for La Tommy Edmond he's over for one fou off down the right side the pitch strike two very well executed change up right there if he can command the fast ball consistently that's going to be an important pitch in terms of him turning this outing around bounce to the right and it's through for a hit they fired in quickly so it's first and second with only one away here's Kik Hernandez ground it out his first [Applause] time in the air right [Applause] side he's there he's got it runer tags it second and the throws off line safe at third back to the top of the Dodgers order sh Otani steps to the plate for the Dodgers in the air left side H settles underneath it and that will end the inning but the RBI single pushes across a run and it's now a two- one ball game and we're back Danby Swanson stands in the wi to kick the pitch mind in that a base hit man aboard on the leadoff single here's a speeded threat Pete Crow Armstrong just missed next pitch misses and the count is two and0 Swanson aboard here at first with nobody [Applause] out swing and a miss and 102 on the radar gun swings through that with two strikes may see some movement over there first base trying to stay out of the double play right here and a pitch lifted in the air right center field B settles underneath it pulls it down and he makes the catch and there's one [Applause] down and here's the catcher Miguel Laya one for one with a single the kick in the pitch Runner goes there's a ball save at second with a stolen base [Applause] Alex via will take over here still pretty early in the ball game so this bll play has some work ahead of him best case scenario might be if he can come in here and get several quick outs kind of bridge the gap that starter left [Applause] man it's second tapped at the plate but it's a foul ball up and in and that's ball two as a pitcher you know the runner on second is ready to push things with his speed a base hit it's probably going to be a big run so you really have to execute on the M the Cubs down by a run and we're at the top of the fif [Applause] hard hit left side throws the first in time yeah that was a wasted RBI opportunity but competitor like him he is looking forward to making up for it in his next ATB so the lineup flips over in half up to hit and that one fouled [Applause] off swing and a missall two next offering way off the plate runner at second two down got him swinging back here at Dodger Stadium John shaby with my buddy Chris Singleton it's set to get us started bottom five mookie bets soft contact in the air makes the grab one away here comes Freddy Freeman up to hit one for two two and first offering is fouled off Freeman goes 6' 5 in 220 lb and he was a second round pick back in 2007 left field he's got it there's two away and next will be the Dodgers cleanup hitter teoscar Hernandez and it's fou away and now the Lefty and that's off the Inside Edge ball one well the good thing so far is that he hasn't issued any free passes unfortunately they're making pretty good contacts so not getting the swings and misses and making that Defense work behind him makes the grab and that'll end the inning and welcome back to the ballpark all set for the top of the six now Michael Bush that's a [Applause] strike swing in a Miss as he was out from really need to hang in there with that front side against this left-handed breaking ball and that's in the dirt two stra swing and a miss struck him out well you see him trying to pull that inside pitch right there and that's not the kind of approach that you want to have even if you do get to it it's going to be very difficult to keep it fair you're just going to make it a long strike at best you have to be able to stay within the baseball on the inside of that path to it and that way if you're a little quick the ball gets hit hard somewhere and it's not foul that's a base hit couple of hits in a row for him here other than ripping one into the gap or blasting one over the wall there aren't a whole lot of hits that are more satisfying than a nice Line Drive in the center field so that definitely felt good and up to the plate comes Cody Bellinger going one oh one's the count [Applause] just misses without one man oh man I don't know how youd take that pitch that's as close as it gets and now the count is even and he deals that one down the line and foul ball with the goahead run at the plate and we're in the top half of the six now Fly ball to Right Center Edmond sprinting for this one squeezes it now the third baseman isach Paredes first offering Runner goes pitches High save it second and that was not close yeah like being aggressive right there with two outs it's kind of a classic steel situation you get thrown out no big deal the guy at the plate leads off the next inning now a single to the out Dives but it kicks off his glove and he beats it he's safe isak pedus with his first major league hit and this is the moment I'm sure he'll never forget congrats yeah great moment for him and his family I works so hard and has to wait so long for this to happen and when it does well we'll hold that thought as that's the third out bottom of the [Applause] six inning at the pl Will Smith the Lefty fires in the air right field Bellinger makes the grab one down Max Muny at the [Applause] dish and first off ring is fouled off he swings and fouls one [Applause] [Music] [Applause] off leftand hitter Waits keeps the ITB back going with a foul ball one down base is empty and they'll do it [Applause] again pretty Frugal guy he is very efficient with the pitch count in this one that one to First push steps on first for the out Miguel Roos will hit next and ball one two down nobody on here in the bottom of the six that one the other way and that's a base hit you know I was watching his rounds during batting practice today so impressed with his ability to let the ball travel go back up the middle in the other way sometimes when you step in the Box during the game you get a little anxious and you get away from that but so far I've seen him stay consistent with his pregame preparation two outs lifted in the air right field brings it in and that is the third out of the inning back here in La all set for the start of the so the Dodgers have a new arm on the mound Ryan braier this is his first appearance of the season and a pitch and there's the strike oh and [Applause] one and that's downed away looking to get the tying run on base swings through that one out front that time ground ball up the middle there's Hernandez handling the chance not in time an infield knock to start the inning it doesn't really matter where you are in the lineup your job is to get on base and try to start a rally if you're leading off an inning so an infield single does the job right there now we'll see if they can make something happen Pro Armstrong in the Box lays off for ball one Runner takes off pitching for a strike safe at second and he easily steals the bag well it seems like 90 ft is such a big deal in a tight one-run game like this one maybe it's a little bit risky but they felt good about it and it paid off see if they can turn this into a big run whips it across that's the first out to the top of the seven that play won't be trending on social media later on but it's still important to execute it to Perfection this game is aot harder than it looks partner Amaya swings through it for strike one that one's in there oh two getting a little frustrated with the strike zone so the tying run at second in the air out towards left Center hauls it in for the [Applause] out so the batting order turns over and up next for Chicago Ian hat three strikeouts already he's over for three first offering and it just misses [Applause] swing and a miss ugly swing right there had a tough day at the plate three strikeouts already it's hard not to think negative but you got to find a way to somehow Center up the baseball and put it in play man on second two down B slider struck him out we're back in a new pitcher here to start the bottom of the set 5 Nate Pearson just trying to keep this one close here and this is where a bullpen can give their players a chance to fight back into the game sliced down the right side the game plan for this offense has been pretty clear they're being aggressive at the plate but still finding ways to pick their spots without falling into the habit of being over aggressive five hits for him on the first pitch alone so they're swinging and connecting right out of the gates puts it away for the out and there's one down and next is the designated hitter sh Otani and that's ripped into left face hit didn't take long to get a result for that at bat really good swing right there he got a pitch that he knew he could handle allowed himself to stay back just a tad bit longer and he hit the ball on the screws and now they've got some speed on first so we'll see if they try to get him into motion Crow Armstrong should have it and puts the squeeze on that one and there's two now and up next for Los Angeles Freddy Freeman one for three foul ball Pearson a pick to First Otani back in Otani off of first with two [Applause] away the other way and a base hit right there throw in holds the lead runner at second two on now with two away first and second two down now the left fielder teoscar Hernandez 0 for three with two fly outs and a ground out that misses the zone and that is ball one two outs couple of base runners at first and second and that one sliced foul [Music] [Applause] and a pitch here's a rip to short but he's there for the third out so remaining in the game defensively Gavin Lo he entered the game to pinch hit and now G man second base Evan Phillips gets the ball now well the best relievers love the opportunity to come in and protect the tight lead late in the ball game some of them are just wired different so we'll see what he's got here right-handed relever strike two that ball is foul and the pressure is building the two that one just misses well clearly not too happy with the call there thought he caught the top of the zone and you could pretty much read his lips saying that's not all and the right-hander deals foul ball another two two upcoming rander kick steal and a swing in a Miss he battled for a long time but it finishes with a strike out you can't be mad at yourself after in a fat like that one and now the DH SE Suzuki pass ball for a strike and it's on one comes up empty that's strike two trying to hold a one-run lead and we're in the top of the eight he a Defender for the strike out very strong coming out of the pin so far as he punches out the first two batters he sped in this one getting straight to work man it's talked about a lot but relievers are just so electric these days he's aren't fun at bats if you're a hitter I'm so glad I'm retired Bellinger stands in here takes ball one [Applause] low a swing and a miss and that's strike one one ball one strike two down nobody on that one close rule the ball and the count two and one it's getting squeezed a little bit here late that one misses and that's ball three three ball one three the pitch Bing ball here rolls [Music] foul two outs and a rope into center field base hit so digging in isak paradus there goes the runner pitch in for a strike throw safe so the tying run it's second swing in a miss and it's nothing in two he's falling behind in a huge spot Mo got to do what it takes to come through maybe choke up on the bat a little bit spread out those feet whatever it takes right through their C that's a third out back here at Chavez Ravine ready for the bottom of the eighth and now the catcher comes up to hit Will Smith Pearson back to work and a foul ball Pearson a 66 righty he features a four seam fast ball a slider and he occasionally uses a curve L drive base H and the lead off man aboard to me this just a really controlled balance swing he wasn't trying to do too much with it justay disciplin got the barrel to the ball and put it in Play here's M to hit line to left and should be extra bases Smith around second headed for third coming home the relay throw he'll score and they take a two-run lead makes himself up in RBI anytime you rip a line drive the other way you feel really good about what you did at the plate you trusted your hands you let the ball travel and you took the barrel straight to it that's great work right there that's the third parus tosses to first one gone to the bottom of the eighth and here comes Tommy Edmond bounced up the middle Swanson whips it to first on the run and they get Edmund for the out pitcher in the game for the Cubs Drew Smiley important job for him to do right now with that runner on third as they try to add on to their lead just needs one out to get out of it this is a huge match up in this game right [Applause] here Dave Roberts turning to his bench for a new B Chris Taylor looking for a two out hit to bring home the runner from third he one there's a swinging a miss one and two one run across in the frame so far near the bottom half of the eighth inning now a screamer into the Outfield H brings it in with a nice running grab but a run will score in the Inning on this RBI double last staying in the game on defense Chris Taylor he entered the game to pinch hit and now man second base the pitch Corner stands in now and watches strike one and that one fouled [Applause] off righty delivers got him and a strike out for the first out here in the N he's two outs [Applause] new pitcher for the Dodgers Lake Tran he has a great slider with tons of movement now ping for number 49 right through there for a St next off bring is in for a strike no ball two strike puts it in the air out towards left Center Hernandez settles underneath it and there's two down as good as he's seeing the ball out of the pitcher's head you cannot hang a breaking ball right there lucky it's stayed in the ballpark Pro Armstrong in the box with two gone and takes a look at a called [Applause] strike the Cubbies down to their final stri and a slanging a miss and that is the ball game nice work out of the G him for that first MLB wber they turn to him when they didn't have the lead he kept things steady and he's rewarded with the w Singleton in our entire crew I'm John Shi saying so long