Hammel struggles again in Cubs’ 3-2 loss to Dodgers

NOTES: A crowd of 49,522 attended, allowing the Dodgers to top the three-million mark in attendance for the 20th time in the last 21 seasons.

The Dodgers took advantage of two bad throws by the Cubs in the eighth inning, nipping Chicago 1-0 in the finale of a highly-exciting weekend series at Dodger Stadium.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016.

“We’re very excited for Brock”, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “We knew we matched up well with this club and we played them toe-to-toe”. The Cubs will miss facing Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw for the first time since 2009.

After an intentional walk and a strikeout, Adrian Gonzalez hit a soft grounder toward third, and Javier Baez double-clutched before throwing too late for a force play at second base, allowing Toles to score. But Ross’ throw sailed down the right-field line, allowing Kendrick to take third base.

Seager’s right foot slid into the base with Zobrist’s left foot barely inches from coming down on the bag.

Hernan Perez homered twice for Milwaukee, with a three-run homer durind a four-run first, and a solo shot leading off the third that put the Brewers ahead 5-1.

Now, before you accuse me of bias in citing these three examples, it’s true that Rackley gave the Cubs some calls during this game as well (overall count: three in the Cubs’ favor, five against, via @CubsUmp). “I’ve started feeling re-energized, filled with a sense of objective as to why I’ve been placed here and why this is where I need to be at this time, so I’m excited about that. “(Baez is) a young player but he has as much instinct for this game as anyone I’ve ever seen.

Jason Heyward extended his hitting streak to six games with a single to center field in the second. “I just hope to be as good as him [Lester] one day”.

Yoenis Cespedes hit a three-run homer and Kelly Johnson had a pinch-hit grand slam for the Mets, who have won six of seven to close within 2-1/2 games of the last NL wildcard.

In his last eight starts since the All-Star Break, Lester is a flawless 5-0 with a 2.01 ERA as he leads the Cubs rotation.

Kenley Jansen made up for his blown save in the opening game on Friday night recording back-to-back saves on Saturday and Sunday as the All-Star collected his 39 save, securing the victory. “I’m not going to beat up my guys”. “I’m thankful we got the win”.

With one out in the eighth, pinch-hitter Toles was hit by a pitch, and then Trevor Cahill (3-4) threw away Howie Kendrick’s short roller, allowing Toles to reach third.

Dodgers: OF Scott Van Slyke won’t play again this season. That throw should probably have gone to first base, and the inning would have been over.

The Dodgers stretched their lead over San Francisco in the NL West to two games, while the Cubs’ imperious lead atop the NL Central remained at a seemingly impregnable 14 games.

Jon Lester: Six shutout innings.

In addition, Seager has been one of the Dodgers’ hottest hitters. Lester struck out 10 Dodgers in a complete-game win at Wrigley Field on May 6, working around a first-inning run.

Cubs: RHP Jake Arrieta (16-5, 2.62) will open a seven-game homestand Monday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The game, unfortunately, didn’t match the sublime calls of Scully (though he, as the Dodgers’ TV voice, certainly would have been happy with the result). Kenta Maeda is expected to be recalled from Arizona and start at 5:40 PM PST.