Cubs crush Dodgers 16-0 behind Ben Brown’s dominant performance
- Ben Brown dominated the mound for the Cubs, delivering six scoreless innings and allowing no walks while striking out five.
- The Cubs achieved a total of 21 hits, leading to a staggering 16 runs against the Dodgers.
- This victory represents the Dodgers' worst home shutout loss in their franchise history.
In Los Angeles, California, the Chicago Cubs achieved a remarkable 16-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night. This significant win marked the Dodgers' worst home shutout loss in franchise history. Ben Brown, pitching for the Cubs, showcased an impressive performance by utilizing a two-pitch mix to secure six scoreless innings. This victory not only highlighted Brown's resilience after a previous rough outing, but it also reflected the Cubs' strong offensive abilities throughout the game. The Cubs mounted a total of 21 hits during the game, with notable performances from players like Michael Busch and Carson Kelly. Busch, a former utility player for the Dodgers, managed to hit four times, including a homer and two doubles, finishing with three RBIs. Carson Kelly also shone brightly with three hits, two of which were home runs, also garnering three RBIs. Ian Happ contributed significantly to the attack with three hits and two runs scored, while Miguel Amaya capped off an exceptional performance for the Cubs during the eighth inning with a two-run homer. Notably, Cubs' hitters overcame significant challenges, including a standout leaping catch by Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages that robbed Busch of what would have been a grand slam in the third inning. The game escalated in intensity with a key moment in the seventh inning, when Kelly homered off Ben Casparius, leading the Cubs to turn a minor lead into a significant 7-0 advantage. This rally also featured contributions from players such as Amaya, Busch, Dansby Swanson, and Nico Hoerner. The outcome allowed the Cubs to push their total runs for the season to an impressive 112, leading all major leagues and outpacing the second-place New York Yankees by a substantial 21 runs. Looking forward, the Cubs are set to match up against the Dodgers again with right-hander Colin Rea taking the mound for the Cubs, while the Dodgers counter with Tyler Glasnow. This matchup will be critical for both teams as they look to improve their standings in the league. Brown's recent turnaround demonstrates the Cubs' capacity to perform at a high level, as evidenced by their commanding victory over a traditionally strong competitor.