That matched Suzuki’s career high, set last year.
But Wicks could not hold the Dodgers down. In the bottom of the third, a walk, single and ground out put runners on second and third with one out.
The next hitter was Ohtani. Do you intentionally pass him and pitch to Mookie Betts with the bases loaded? Craig Counsell doesn’t much believe in the IBB — he’s ordered only six this year. That’s tied for second-fewest in MLB with the Mets and Yankees. (The league average is 15, and the most this year is 29, by the A’s.)
The Cubs chose to pitch to Ohtani and he hit a two-run single to make it 7-3.
Ethan Roberts took over for Wicks in the fourth, retiring the Dodgers in order. Then Ian Happ led off the fifth with a single and Dansby Swanson walked.
