The Cubs and Dodgers kicked off a big four game series at Wrigley Field on Thursday night and once again it was the Cubs that were unable to come up with a big hit as they lost 2-1. The team had plenty of chances in the game to score runs however they left 23 base runners on base including the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning. If this team wants to start winning these close games, they need to score with the bases loaded and stop wasting the opportunities.

The one run that the team did score was in the eighth inning when pitcher hitter Bobby Scales hit a solo home run. However Scales would strikeout with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth and than he was followed by Jake Fox who also struck out to end the game. Scales was called back up to the team before the game when Ryan Freel was put on the disabled list with a hurt hamstring.

Derrek Lee led the Cubs at the plate with two hits.

It was another tough loss for Randy Wells on the mound. Wells didn’t pitch bad in his seven innings of action even though he did give up eight hits. The Dodgers scored on a infield bunt single in the first inning and then on a infield groundout in the third inning.

The Cubs will look to tie up the series at one game each on Friday afternoon. Ted Lilly will get the start for Cubs and he will face off against Chad Billingsley of the Dodgers.

** Carlos Zambrano was also suspended for six games by the league for his tirade on Wednesday afternoon. Zambrano said that he will not appeal the suspension**

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh