Dodgers invited to a holiday gathering, get roasted

10:06 PM ET

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs appeared to be playing the cordial host Monday, welcoming the Los Angeles Dodgers in for a holiday celebration; a spectacular outdoor party in the big city, if you will.

Then they turned nasty on their guests, making them the laughingstock, holding the Dodgers to just one bloop hit in front of an appreciative gathering.

Way back when it was announced that the Dodgers would be playing a nationally televised game in New York this past Sunday, the Cubs moved Monday’s game from a 2 p.m. local start to a 4 p.m. one. As it turns out, the Cubs only wanted their guests to be well rested before they devoured them whole.

Without Justin Turner’s high-arcing single in the first inning, which only fell because right fielder Ben Zobrist failed to locate it in the sun quickly enough, the Dodgers could have been no-hit. Making it all the more troublesome was that Cubs starter Jason Hammel left after two innings because of a hamstring cramp.

The Cubs bullpen knew what to do. Four relievers, led by Travis Wood and his four innings, retired the next 21 Dodgers batters in succession. Seven perfect innings in what became a Monday evening role reversal. With Hammel’s work included, the Cubs retired the last 25 Dodgers batters.

Yasiel Puig reacts after being called out on strikes in the eighth inning, part of a frustrating day at the plate for the Dodgers. David Banks/USA TODAY Sports

“When you get into their pen that early, you know, we felt pretty good about it,” manager Dave Roberts said. …

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