Cubs beat Dodgers 6-3 in Yamamoto-Imanaga matchup as LA makes 3 errors in 5-run 8th inning

  Cubs rallied for tying and go-ahe runs in a five-run eighth inning, when Los Angeles Dodgers committed three errors in a 6-3 loss to Chicago on Tuesday night that featured a matchup of Japanese star pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto Shota Imanaga.

NL West-leing Dodgers blew a 3-1 le and lost to Cubs for second straight night, assuring ir first series loss since Aug. 5-7 against visiting Philelphia. Los Angeles' division le was cut to 4 1/2 games over second-place San Diego.

Chicago is four games back of Atlanta and New York Mets, who are tied for last NL wild card.

Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong robbed Max Muncy of a potential two-run homer with two outs in ninth. He me a terrific sliding catch in dirt of Kiké Hernández to end seventh.

A leoff walk by Alex Vesia, a throwing error by catcher Austin Barnes, center fielder Tommy Edman’s errant throw that went into camera well near Dodgers dugout and a fielding error by second baseman Hernández helped Cubs take a 6-3 le.

Yamamoto struck out his first four batters of his first start in nearly three months, facing off against Chicago’s Imanaga (13-3) in a matchup of former Japanese big league rivals pitching against each or for first time in Major League Baseball.

“y’ve traveled halfway around world and y’re still competing against each or,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said before game. “That’s pretty cool.”

Imanaga allowed three runs and seven hits in seven innings, struck out four and walked none.

Peter Hodge pitched ninth for his fifth save. He stepped off mound with two outs to go, and Cubs athletic trainer and Counsell came out to check him.

Evan Phillips (3-1) allowed two runs and four hits in eighth.

Yamamoto gave up one run and three hits in four innings of his first start since June 16 following an injured list trip caused by a rotator cuff strain. He struck out eight and walked none.

Before getting hurt, Yamamoto was off to an impressive start in major leagues. He was 6-2 with a 2.92 ERA while striking out 84 over 74 innings. He earned his first MLB victory against Cubs at Wrigley Field on April 6. Yamamoto signed a $325 million, 12-year contract with Dodgers last offseason.

In front of 51,923, game featured Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki against Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani. y were teammates for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic, winning title over U.S., although Suzuki was hurt and didn’t play.

Suzuki finished 2 for 4 with two strikeouts. Ohtani was hitless in four at-bats. He remains four homers and three stolen bases from becoming first player in major league history to achieve a 50-50 season.

Edman homered twice on two pitches from Imanaga for a 2-1 le.

Edman hit his first homer of season into lower left field seats on a 92-mph fastball leing off third, tying game 1-1. center fielder went deep again in fourth, sending a go-ahe shot into left field pavilion on a 93-mph fastball.

Dodgers extended le to 3-1 on Muncy's homer leing off fifth.

Chicago led 1-0 on Crow-Armstrong's infield single to first that hit Freddie Freeman and bounced into foul territory, scoring Isaac Paredes, who singled.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Dodgers: LHP Anthony Banda went on IL with a left hand fracture. ... RHP Tyler Glasnow (tendonitis) used his entire pitch mix in a bullpen session. “He was ripping fastball,” manager Dave Roberts said. Next up is facing hitters in a simulated game Friday in Atlanta. ... OF Teoscar Hernández (bruised foot) was available off bench and is expected back in lineup Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Cubs: LHP Jordan Wicks (2-3, 4.03 ERA) is 1-1 since coming off IL on Sept. 1.

Dodgers: RHP Bobby Miller (2-4, 7.79) tries to avoid a second straight loss.