Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Collision Ends Smyly Perfect Game Bid, Cubs Top Dodgers 13-0
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 2 years ago on
April 22, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

CHICAGO — Drew Smyly and Yan Gomes tumbled to the grass under a sunny sky at a picturesque Wrigley Field. Reclining on his side for one brief moment, Smyly grinned.

It was over, but it was a really fun afternoon for the Chicago Cubs.

Smyly lost his bid for a perfect game when he collided with his catcher while trying to field an eighth-inning dribbler that went for an infield single in a 13-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.

“That’s a tough way to end it,” Smyly said. “You feel like you’re really close.”

Home Runs and High Scores Propel Cubs to Victory

Nico Hoerner, Cody Bellinger, Trey Mancini and Patrick Wisdom homered as Chicago won for the fifth time in six games. Hoerner finished with four hits and four RBIs, and Wisdom and Mancini each drove in three runs.

Leaning heavily on his fastball and curveball, 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.

Cubs Manager Praises Smyly’s Performance

“Amazing performance,” Cubs manager David Ross said. “That was fun to watch.”

David Peralta accounted for Los Angeles’ only baserunner against Smyly on a 32.9 mph leadoff bouncer in the eighth that trickled between third base and the mound. Smyly and Gomes each went for the grounder, and the catcher tumbled over the pitcher as the left-hander picked up the ball.

Memorable Moment and Praise for Wrigley Field

“It just came to the point where both of us wanted it. He got to it before I did,” Gomes said while wearing a Northwestern University football helmet with a Cubs emblem on one side. “I’m not as quick as I used to be trying to jump out of the way and I just ended up riding him and becoming a cool picture.”

Smyly was checked by Ross and an athletic trainer, but he stayed in the game. He retired Miguel Vargas on a popup to third and struck out James Outman before he was replaced by Jeremiah Estrada.

The 33-year-old Smyly received a thunderous ovation from the crowd of 30,381 as he made his way to the dugout.

“Pitching here at Wrigley Field is so special,” Smyly said. “It’s so awesome. Every single game the atmosphere is just off the charts.”

Perfect Games in History and Smyly’s Previous Performance

There have been 23 perfect games, including Don Larsen’s in the World Series. Seattle’s Félix Hernández pitched the last in 2012.

Smyly also beat Los Angeles with 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball in his previous start. He said Friday’s pregame bullpen session was the worst one that he could remember.

“I told Yan before the game, ‘Sometimes those can be your best games,’” Smyly said.

Estrada Finishes One-Hitter and Dodgers Struggle Continues

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.

“I think today was just, across the board, just wasn’t very good,” manager Dave Roberts said.

Chicago’s Explosive Fifth Inning

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.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Townsizing? Land Snorkeling? A User’s Guide to the Latest Travel Lingo

DON'T MISS

Trump Trade War Has Already Had Huge Effect on California Ports

DON'T MISS

Cambodian American Chefs Are Finding Success and Raising Their Culture’s Profile. On Their Terms

DON'T MISS

Ancient DNA Reveals a New Group of People Who Lived Near Land Bridge Between the Americas

DON'T MISS

FDA Approves Moderna’s New Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

DON'T MISS

Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants

DON'T MISS

Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices

DON'T MISS

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

DON'T MISS

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

DON'T MISS

Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy

UP NEXT

Trump Trade War Has Already Had Huge Effect on California Ports

UP NEXT

Cambodian American Chefs Are Finding Success and Raising Their Culture’s Profile. On Their Terms

UP NEXT

Ancient DNA Reveals a New Group of People Who Lived Near Land Bridge Between the Americas

UP NEXT

FDA Approves Moderna’s New Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

UP NEXT

Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants

UP NEXT

Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices

UP NEXT

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

UP NEXT

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

UP NEXT

Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy

UP NEXT

Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump

Ancient DNA Reveals a New Group of People Who Lived Near Land Bridge Between the Americas

6 hours ago

FDA Approves Moderna’s New Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

19 hours ago

Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants

19 hours ago

Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices

19 hours ago

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

19 hours ago

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

24 hours ago

Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy

1 day ago

Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump

1 day ago

US Defense Secretary Warns Indo-Pacific Allies of ‘Imminent’ Threat From China

1 day ago

Hamas Responds to the US Ceasefire Proposal for Gaza While Seeking Amendments

1 day ago

Townsizing? Land Snorkeling? A User’s Guide to the Latest Travel Lingo

For your next trip, have you considered townsizing? What about choosing a detour destination? And instead of forest-bathing, maybe it’...

5 hours ago

5 hours ago

Townsizing? Land Snorkeling? A User’s Guide to the Latest Travel Lingo

5 hours ago

Trump Trade War Has Already Had Huge Effect on California Ports

5 hours ago

Cambodian American Chefs Are Finding Success and Raising Their Culture’s Profile. On Their Terms

6 hours ago

Ancient DNA Reveals a New Group of People Who Lived Near Land Bridge Between the Americas

19 hours ago

FDA Approves Moderna’s New Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

19 hours ago

Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants

19 hours ago

Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices

19 hours ago

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend