Postgame: Cubs 3, Dodgers 1

The Cubs beat the Dodgers 3-1 today. For a full recap and boxscore click here.

THE BARE ESSENTIALS
:

Chad Billingsley was effective, but didn’t have his best stuff. He lasted six innings, allowing three earned runs and nine hits.

The Dodgers’ only run came in the second inning off a Tony Abreu RBI single. It was only Abreu’s second start with the big club this year.

The Cubs’ Ryan Dempster went 7+ innings, allowing only four baserunners and one earned run.

ETC…ETC:

Cubs closer Carlos Marmol pitched an impressive ninth to get the save; he struck out two Dodgers, including Manny Ramirez on a called strike three to end the game.

Mark Loretta made another start at first base and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. The Dodgers only had three hits: Abreu’s, a pinch-hit single by Juan Pierre, and a double by Andre Ethier.

With a Colorado victory, the Dodgers are now just 3.5 games in front of the Rockies.

ON DECK:

The Dodgers have a day off tomorrow before traveling to Colorado for a three-game set.