Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (3/20/19): Cubs 4, Dodgers 4 — Cubs Come From Behind to Draw with Dodgers

The Chicago Cubs hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers at Sloan Park Wednesday night. Cole Hamels led the Cubs through a sloppy 1st inning, which featured a lead-off homer from A.J. Pollock, an unsuccessful double play, and an outfield error. The Northsiders answered in the 2nd on a Cole Hamels RBI-single, but the Dodgers chipped away at the Cubs’ lefty by scoring in four of the first five innings.

The game shifted after the Dodgers bullpen took over. Anthony Rizzo hit a solo homer in the 6th inning (his 3rd of the Spring) and Chicago continued their rally by scoring two more in the 7th to tie the game.

With the regular season fast approaching, this lineup resembled one we may see during the regular season with Ben Zobrist leading things off against a righty. (Box score)

Why the Cubs tied

The Dodgers jumped on Cole Hamels early, taking him deep twice, but the Cubs bullpen delivered four shutout innings to give the offense a chance late. Chicago stayed aggressive despite a slow start and was able to string together hits when it mattered most late in the game, getting some help from the Dodgers defense (two errors in the 7th) as well. After the Cubs failed to push across the winning run in the bottom of the 9th, things ended in a draw.

Key moment

Ben Zobrist hit a long single past second, paired with an outfield error, that allowed Ian Happ to touch home for the tying run of the game.

Stats that matter

• Rizzo went 1-for-3 with 1 R and 1 RBI. The homer his third this spring.
• Hamels went 1-for-2 with 1 RBI at the plate while striking out five on the mound.
• Junichi Tazawa delivered another solid outing, striking out three in an inning of work. He’s yet to surrender a run this Spring.

Bottom Line

Hamels couldn’t hold off the powerful batting of Dodgers’ A.J. Pollock, Cody Bellinger, and Corey Seager. While Cubs batters were connecting at the plate, they left one too many stranded on base to earn the W in this one.

On Deck

The Cubs will host the Giants tomorrow afternoon at 3:05pm CT at Sloan Park in Mesa. Kyle Hendricks takes the mound, looking for his second spring win.