This game was over almost before it began. Carlos Zambrano simply didn’t have his quality stuff on the mound on Sunday, and was roughed up by the Dodgers for five first-run innings. Big Z was probably due for a stinker, after winning ten straight starts since the end of the 2010 season.
Though Zambrano got himself under control after the first, the Cubs weren’t able to come back this time. Big Z ended up gutting out five innings, giving up just one additional run after his horrendous first inning. On the bright side, he walked no one and struck out four.
Hiroki Kuroda was mostly excellent today for the Dodgers. He went 6.2 innings, giving up just three runs (two earned) on nine hits while striking out seven. He got himself out of jams multiple times to keep the Cubs from mounting a comeback in the afternoon.
Darwin Barney, Kosuke Fukudome, Aramis Ramirez, and Marlon Byrd all had multi-hit days, and Starlin Castro had another RBI. But it just wasn’t enough to make up the gap, and the Cubs dropped the series to the Dodgers.
The Cubs will continue their homestead on Monday, hosting the Colorado Rockies. First pitch will be at 7:05 P.M., CDT.