Bobby Miller had a potentially unforgettable birthday on Friday, pitching for the Dodgers against his childhood favorite team, the Chicago Cubs. He had over 30 friends and family in attendance at Wrigley Field, cheering him on from behind the plate. The 25-year-old right-hander started strong, striking out the side in the first inning, but things took a turn in the second.
In a 20-minute span, Miller struggled, giving up five runs and throwing 43 pitches before being pulled by manager Dave Roberts with two outs. The Dodgers fought back, trimming their deficit twice, but couldn't overcome the early setback, ending a four-game winning streak.
The Cubs capitalized on Miller's struggles, with Dansby Swanson starting the damage with a solo home run. Despite the Dodgers taking an early lead, the Cubs tied the score and kept piling on runs. Miller's pitch count climbed, and Roberts turned to the bullpen early in the game.
Miller acknowledged his disappointing performance, saying, "That second inning was just pretty unacceptable. You really feel for the bullpen on games like that, where the starter doesn't set the tone the best way." The Dodgers mounted comeback attempts, but strikeouts and solid defense from the Cubs prevented a full recovery.
The game's final innings provided drama, with Shohei Ohtani's fly ball falling short in the eighth and the Dodgers threatening in the ninth with tying runners on base. However, Swanson and Busch's defensive plays secured the Cubs' victory.
Roberts praised the Cubs' defense, saying they made the necessary plays and minimized the Dodgers' potential for more damage. Despite the loss, Hernández stood out with four RBIs, leading the MLB early in the season.
Overall, it was a tough loss for the Dodgers, but they'll look to bounce back in the rest of their weeklong trip.
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