NLCS Game 5 recap: Cubs beat Dodgers 8-4
The Cubs are one game away from a trip to the World Series after an 8-4 win over the Dodgers in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series.
The Chicago Cubs put themselves within one game of the 2016 World Series with a commanding 8-4 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the NLCS on Thursday night. They now sit atop a 3-2 advantage over the Dodgers and the Cubs will travel back to Wrigley Field for a chance to win Game 6 in front of the home crowd.
The action got underway early for the Cubs when Anthony Rizzo hit a line drive double to right field, driving in Dexter Fowler. The Dodgers answered in the bottom of the fourth inning when Adrian Gonzalez grounded out, scoring Howie Kendrick to bring the game to 1-1.
Addison Russell launched a home run into center field for a two-run homer in the sixth inning, driving in Javier Baez to bring the score to 3-1 Cubbies.
The Cubs bats came alive for a five-run eighth inning. Dexter Fowler kicked it off with a grounder to first base, scoring Addison Russell. Kris Bryant singled to third base and brought in Willson Contreras to bring the score to 5-1.
Next up was Javier Baez, who hit a line drive double into right field, scoring Dexter Fowler, Kris Bryant and Ben Zobrist. The Dodgers managed to score another run in the eighth inning when Carlos Ruiz sent a fly ball into center field, scoring Andrew Toles. The score was 8-2 going into the last inning.
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There was a last minute push in the bottom of the ninth when Josh Reddick hit a line drive single to center field, scoring Adrian Gonzalez. Andrew Toles launches a sac fly to center field and brought in Joc Pederson, but it wasn’t enough to seal the deal. Final score: Cubs 8, Dodgers 4.
Jon Lester had a solid night on the mound for the Cubs, allowing five hits with six punch outs and one earned run in seven innings of work.
Related Story: NLCS Game 4 recap: Cubs shellack Dodgers, even series
Game 6 of the National League Championship Series is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. ET on FS1.