Drew Smyly lost a perfect game bid when he collided with his catcher while trying to field an eighth-inning dribbler that went for an infield single in the Chicago Cubs' 13-0 rout of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.
Nico Hoerner hit a three-run homer with four hits and four RBIs as Chicago won for the fifth time in six games. Cody Bellinger went deep for the second straight day and third time this season against his former team. Trey Mancini and Patrick Wisdom also connected.
Smyly (2-1) struck out 10 and walked none in 7 2/3 innings. He threw 68 of his season-high 103 pitches for strikes.
David Peralta accounted for Los Angeles' only baserunner against Smyly on a 32.9 mph leadoff dribbler in the eighth that trickled between third base and the mound. Smyly and Yan Gomes each went for the grounder, and the catcher tumbled over the pitcher as the left-hander picked up the ball.
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Smyly was checked by manager David Ross and an athletic trainer, but the pitcher stayed in the game. He retired Miguel Vargas on a popup to third and struck out James Outman before he was pulled by Ross.
Smyly received a thunderous ovation from the crowd of 30,381 as he made his way to the dugout at Wrigley Field.
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There have been 23 perfect games, including Don Larsen’s in the World Series. Seattle’s Félix Hernández pitched the last in 2012.
Jeremiah Estrada finished a one-hitter for Chicago. Nick Madrigal robbed Jason Heyward with a diving grab at second base for the final out.
The Cubs became the second team to score double-digit runs six times in its first 19 games, matching the 1885 Chicago White Stockings.
The Dodgers lost for the fourth time in six games. Julio Urías (3-2) allowed five runs and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings after losing to the Cubs in his previous start.
Chicago broke open the game with seven runs in the fifth inning. Wisdom hit a three-run shot for his ninth homer. Mancini singled in Bellinger before Hoerner hit a drive to left for his first homer of the season.
MAKING MOVES
The Cubs recalled Estrada from Triple-A Iowa and optioned right-hander Javier Assad to their top farm club. Estrada had no record and a 3.18 ERA in five appearances with the big league team last year.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: RHP Michael Grove was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right groin strain. RHP Jake Reed was promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City, and RHP Ryan Pepiot (left oblique strain) was transferred to the 60-day IL. ... INF Chris Taylor (left side soreness) came in to play second base in the sixth inning. “I think now, as we get through today, I think we can look at him more as an everyday, can-do-anything, available player,” manager Dave Roberts said before the game.
Cubs: RHP Jameson Taillon is working on keeping his arm in shape while he is sidelined by a left groin strain. He was placed on the 15-day IL on Thursday. “Definitely improvement from when I first did it. Improvement from yesterday,” he said. “It's only been a few days but we're like slowly adding different things as we go to keep it moving and kind of test it out.” ... RHP Codi Heuer (Tommy John) is scheduled for a one-inning simulated game Saturday in Arizona.
UP NEXT
Dustin May (1-1, 3.00 ERA) starts for Los Angeles on Saturday and fellow right-hander Hayden Wesneski (1-0, 4.15 ERA) pitches for Chicago. May permitted five runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings in an 8-6 loss to the New York Mets on Monday. Wesneski tossed seven innings of one-run ball in a 10-1 win at Oakland in his previous start.
