Dodgers 6, Cubs 4: Jerry, Jerry beats Ricky, Lake show

Jerry Hairston hit a two-run single to highlight a three-run sixth inning that propelled the Dodgers to a 6-4 win over the slugging Cubs on Thursday night at Wrigley Field in Chicago. It was the 11th straight road win for the Dodgers, their longest streak since the 1955 Brooklyn World Series winners began the season 11-0 away from Ebbets Field.

The Dodgers with the win moved back to 3½ games ahead of the Diamondbacks in the National League West.

Ricky Nolasco only gave up four hits in his five innings, but three of them left the park. Two were hit by Junior Lake, who also made a spectacular catch while jumping into the brick wall down the left field line in foul territory in the ninth inning. The other home run was hit by Anthony Rizzo, who also took Paco Rodriguez deep in the eighth inning.

Rizzo's second home run of the night was the first earned run against Rodriguez since June 5, snapping a string of 23 appearances and 16⅔ innings without an earned run.

Lake and Rizzo became the seventh pair of teammates to each hit two home runs in the same game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the first since Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman did so for St. Louis on April 15, 2011.

The last time the Dodgers allowed four solo home runs in a game was Aug. 29, 2005, also at Wrigley Field. Todd Walker and Nomar Garciaparra each hit one and Jeromy Burnitz hit two, but the Dodgers won anyway, 9-6.

On Thursday, the Dodgers added an insurance run in the ninth inning to extend their lead. Yasiel Puig, who doubled in the sixth inning but was thrown out at the plate on a two-out bloop single thanks to some confusion and bad base running by Puig, homered into the left center field seats to give the Dodgers a 6-4 lead.

Kenley Jansen retired the side in order in the ninth inning on 12 pitches, with three strikeouts. Jansen, who took over the team lead with his 15th save, has retired 19 consecutive batters. Eight of his last nine appearances have resulted in perfect innings.

Up next

After the opening game under the lights, get ready for three days of day baseball at Wrigley Field. On Friday afternoon the Dodgers send Hyun-jin Ryu to the mound, facing off against Travis Wood for Chicago.

Thursday particulars

Home runs: Yasiel Puig (11); Junior Lake 2 (4), Anthony Rizzo 2 (17)

WP - Ricky Nolasco (7-9): 5 IP, 4 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts

LP - Chris Rusin (1-1): 5 IP, 7 hits, 4 runs, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts

Sv - Kenley Jansen (15): 1 IP, 3 strikeouts