Dodgers 3, Cubs 0: Chris Capuano helps deliver bakers dozen

Chris Capuano made a strong case to stay in the starting rotation on Saturday, pitching scoreless baseball into the seventh inning as the Dodgers beat the Cubs 3-0 at Wrigley Field for their third straight win. The win was the 13th straight road victory for the Dodgers, setting a new franchise record.

The Dodgers beat the old team mark of 12 straight road victories, set from Aug. 25-Sep. 6, 1924 by the Brooklyn Robins. Since the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1958, the only other National League team to win 13 straight road games was the Philadelphia Phillies from April 17-June 2, 1976.

Jerry Hairston drove in a run in the third inning, then Carl Crawford widened the advantage with a two-run single in the sixth. Crawford was 3 -for-5 with a double on the day.

Capuano had his second straight scoreless start and his seventh start (out of 14) allowing zero or one run this season. Capuano actually has four consecutive scoreless starts at Wrigley Field, totaling 30⅓ . innings. That streak for Capuano dates back to 2006 and does include a pair of relief appearances with runs allowed, but is still quite impressive.

The only potential negative from the game was Yasiel Puig exiting after the seventh inning, when he made a spectacular diving catch (Mike Petriello has the GIF). Puig has a left wrist contusion, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.

Though the Dodgers felt in control most of the game, putting 17 runners on base, though they couldn't extend the lead until the sixth inning. The Cubs tried to capitalize in the eighth inning, bringing the tying run to the plate in Anthony Rizzo. Paco Rodriguez walked Rizzo to load the bases, but then struck out Welington Castillo to end the inning, and the Cubs' chances.

Kenley Jansen retired the side in order for this 16th save of the season. He has retired 22 straight batters, including 10 by strikeout, and has pitched perfect innings in nine of his last 10 appearances.

Up next

The Dodgers go for the sweep on Sunday afternoon, trying for their first Wrigley Field sweep of four or more games since taking all five games in Chicago from July 14-18, 1988. Stephen Fife presumably gets the call on the mound on Sunday, though it has not yet been announced by the team. Carlos Villanueva starts the series finale for the Cubs.

Saturday particulars

Home runs: none

WP - Chris Capuano (4-6): 6⅓ IP, 6 hits, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts

LP - Jeff Samardzija (6-10): 6 IP, 7 hits, 3 runs, 5 walks, 9 strikeouts

Sv - Kenley Jansen (16): 1 IP, 2 strikeouts