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Cubs and Dodgers Trade Blows as a 5-Run Ninth Inning Closes the Gap

The Chicago Cubs left Sloan Park at 9-14 after a 14-8 result against the the Los Angeles Dodgers, who moved to 16-7 in a split-squad spring game that started at 4:05 PM EDT.


Mar 15, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Hyeseong Kim (6) hits against the Chicago Cubs in the second inning at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

First inning


The Cubs opened with 1 hit and 0 runs, while the Dodgers struck for 4 runs on 2 hits to set the early game state.


Second inning


The Cubs added 1 hit but no runs, and the Blue pushed across 1 run on 2 hits to extend the margin.


Mar 15, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) makes the off balance throw against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Third inning


The Cubs got on the board with 2 runs on 1 hit, and Nico Hoerner’s previous-game line of 1 home run with 2 runs batted in fit the type of swing the North Side needed in a 14-run game environment.


The Dodgers answered with 4 runs on 2 hits in the same inning, and the early damage aligned with Jameson Taillon’s previous-game pitching mark of a 27 earned run average.


Mar 15, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) gets ready against the Chicago Cubs in the second inning at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Fourth inning


The Cubs went scoreless with 0 hits, and the Bums produced 1 run on 2 hits to keep pressure on a Cubs staff that finished with a 14 earned run average and a 2.11 walks plus hits per inning pitched.


Fifth inning


The Cubs logged 0 runs and 0 hits, and the Dodgers also posted 0 runs and 0 hits as the middle innings briefly stabilized.


Sixth inning


The Cubs recorded 0 runs on 1 hit, and the Dodgers stayed off the board with 0 runs and 0 hits.


Seventh inning


The Cubs scratched out 1 run on 1 hit, and Matt Shaw’s previous-game 1.167 on-base plus slugging percentage reflected the kind of on-base work that supported a Cubs attack that drew 9 walks and finished with a .396 on-base percentage.


The Dodgers posted 0 runs and 0 hits, and the Cubs bullpen segment later finished at a 6.353 earned run average after the starter line drove the overall pitching totals.


Eighth inning


The Cubs added 0 runs on 1 hit, and the Dodgers collected 0 runs on 1 hit as the score held heading to the last frame.


Ninth inning


The Cubs erupted for 5 runs on 2 hits and were aided by 1 Dodgers error, and Cubs vs Dodgers recap centered on that late push after the Cubs finished with 8 hits, 8 runs, and 0 errors.


The Dodgers answered with 4 runs on 3 hits, and the late exchange closed out Cubs vs Dodgers highlights that included the Cubs finishing with 6 extra-base hits and a .486 slugging percentage in a game that featured 13,888 in attendance and lasted 3:09.


The Cubs vs Dodgers full match report also reflected a Cubs lineup that left 13 runners on base while going 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position, and the post-game report Cubs line still showed 1 stolen base during the chase.


The Cubs next broadcast will be at 9:05 PM EDT on 2026-03-16, with the Cubs listed as the away team against the Cleveland Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona on CLEG, so pass this along and share this article with other North Side fans.

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