Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/8/22): Dodgers 4, Cubs 3 F/10 – Cubs Squander Quality Start From Keegan Thompson

The Cubs came into Friday trying to rebound from a hard-fought loss against the Dodgers. Chicago would grab the lead yet they could not hang on and gave it up late to lose their second consecutive game.

Both starting pitchers, Keegan Thompson and Tyler Anderson, were outstanding early and matched zeros through the first four innings. Nico Hoerner finally put the Cubs ahead with a solo home run that bounced off the top of the left-field wall in the 5th.

Chicago got the first two runners on base in the 6th inning and Ian Happ was able to rip a ground ball double to score both and give his team a 3-0 lead. Thompson was really on his game again and the only blemish was when Seiya Suzuki uncharacteristically dropped a routine fly ball allowing a run to score in the bottom of the frame.

Jake Lamb hit a solo home run off of Chris Martin in the bottom of the 7th to cut the Cubs’ advantage to one. David Robertson came on for the save in the 9th but hit big trouble and loaded the bases before allowing a Mookie Betts sacrifice fly to tie the game and send it to extras.

Chicago failed to score in their half of the 10th and the Dodgers walked off when Will Smith singled home the winning run. (Box Score)

Why the Cubs Lost

The Suzuki error and the inability of the bullpen to close out the game cost the Cubs Friday.

Eye on the Future

• Hoerner continues to show increased power with his fifth home run of the season.
• Thompson keeps making good starts of late: 5.2 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 8 K, and 1 BB.

Stats That Matter

• David Bote had a hit Friday as he continues to try and get into game shape.

Bottom Line

It gets frustrating when the Cubs lose games they could easily win. The thing to remember, however, is that the results don’t matter very much right now. The much more important news is that Thompson is emerging as a long-term rotation option.

On Deck

Game three of the series is Saturday at 9:10pm CT. Marcus Stroman returns to the mound to face veteran Clayton Kershaw in a game available on Marquee Sports Network, MLB Network (out-of-market), and 670 The Score.