Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner hit a game-winning three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the Dodgers a 4-1 win over the Chicago Cubs, and a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series.
Turner became the second-ever Dodger to win a game on a postseason-home run, joining Kirk Gibson, who ended Game 1 of the 1988 World Series with one of the most famous homers in baseball history. Ironically, Turner’s moment came on the 29th anniversary of Gibson’s celebrated shot at “Chavez Ravine”. Turner’s blast came off veteran right-hander John Lackey, with two outs.
Earlier in Sunday night’s game, Turner had delivered a tying single in the fifth before sending a long shot to center field. Yasiel Puig drew his third walk of the game leading off the ninth, and Charlie Culberson bunted him to second. After losing pitcher Brian Duensing struck out pinch-hitter Kyle Farmer, Chicago manager Joe Maddon went to the bullpen for the 38-year-old Lackey, who pitched on consecutive days for the first time in his 15-year career.
Addison Russell homered in the fifth for the Cubs, who are down early in this rematch of the 2016 NLCS. Chicago won that series in six games after splitting the first two. Facing a potential 3-0 hole against the NL West Champion Dodgers, Chicago will hand the ball to Kyle Hendricks in Game 3 at Wrigley Field.
Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen got the win with a hitless ninth. The Dodgers have thrown eight hitless and scoreless innings of relief in the NLCS.
Photo credit – Alex Gallardo / Associated Press / Los Angeles, CA