By Megan Garcia
Walker Buehler is learning more about himself in each start and found some lessons in the Dodgers’ 10–4 loss to the Cubs on Monday at Dodger Stadium.
Buehler pitched into the sixth inning for the first time since returning from the injured list, but a three-run first inning by the Cubs spoiled his pitching line.
Cody Bellinger hit a two-run homer to right field, followed by Michael Busch’s RBI single. Busch added to Chicago’s lead in the fourth with a solo home run. In the sixth, he drove in Bellinger for his third RBI against Buehler, extending the Cubs lead to 5–2.
“The only positive thing is (pitching) a long first, (but getting) into the sixth,” Buehler said. “Obviously, I would like to keep that going. I had the pitch count kind of in check going into the sixth.”
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The right-hander was tagged for five earned runs on nine hits (two home runs) on one walk and four strikeouts. Buehler was lifted in the sixth without recording an out after walking Bellinger and giving up a hit to Isaac Paredes.
The righty landed 60 strikes among his 86 pitches, while his cutter registered a 25% rate of being called a strike or being swung and missed. Buehler retired five of the last seven batters he faced before his night ended.
“He got better as the game went on. There were some command issues,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He just got better (as the game went on). Even in the sixth inning, he was efficient. I think the stuff was good. The fastball velocity had some swing and miss there.”
Betts Continues Hot Hitting
Mookie Betts picked up where he left off in June since returning from the injured list on Aug. 12. His presence from the №. 2 spot in the lineup has been a difference maker as the Dodgers push their way to the postseason.
Before sustaining a left-hand fracture on June 16, Betts hit 10 home runs, 40 RBI and 29 extra-base hits in 72 games. In 26 games dating back to his return, Betts has surpassed the halfway mark of his first-half production numbers — he has clubbed seven home runs, 26 RBI and 16 extra-base hits.
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Betts recorded his 24th RBI with a single in the fifth against Kyle Hendricks. Then, his seventh homer plated his 25th and 26th RBI in the seventh inning. He led the Dodgers with three RBI while going 2-for-4 at the plate.
Where They Stand
The Dodgers’ lead in the National League dwindled to 5 ½ games with the loss to the Cubs. The Padres and Diamondbacks did not play.
Walker Buehler takes loss in series opener against Cubs was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.