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Cubs beat Dodgers in ninth; Ethier's streak hits 29

May 4, 2011 - 6:38 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Geovany Soto hit a two-run double in the ninth to help push the Cubs past the Dodgers, 4-1, in the middle test of a three-game series.

Kerry Wood (1-1) got the win with a perfect inning of relief to give the Cubs their third win in their last five games.

Andre Ethier extended his hit streak to 29 games with a single in the fourth inning. He is now tied with Zach Wheat for the second longest hit streak in Dodgers history. If he extends his streak to two more games he will tie Willie Davis' team record of 31 straight games from August 1 to September 3, 1969.

Jonathan Broxton (1-2) took the loss in one-third of an inning for Los Angeles, which has lost three of its last four.

The Dodgers got on the board first in the sixth with a Matt Kemp single that scored Jamey Carroll. Carroll led off the inning with a base hit and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jerry Sands.

Chicago answered right back in the seventh with a Carlos Pena solo shot -- his first as a Cub -- to tie the game.

"My teammates have been behind me and cheering me on. It feels nice to have one go over the fence," said Pena. "It was a great relief to get the first homer and tie the game, but Ryan was the story tonight. He kept us in the game."

Broxton started the ninth for the Dodgers and got Aramis Ramirez to pop out to first before allowing back-to-back walks to Marlon Byrd and Pena. Broxton was then pulled for Blake Hawksworth, who allowed a two-out double to Soto that brought Byrd and Pena home. Blake DeWitt followed with a pinch-hit single that plated Soto to give the Cubs a 4-1 advantage.

"Broxton is one of our guys. Today he wasn't throwing strikes and I couldn't leave him out there. It's the inconsistency. We have to try and figure it out," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly.

Carlos Marmol entered the game in the ninth for the Cubs and worked an easy 1-2-3 inning for his eighth save of the season.

Both starters lasted seven innings and allowed one run for their respective teams.

Ryan Dempster -- celebrating his 34th birthday -- allowed six hits and two walks while striking out five for Chicago, and Chad Billingsley let up four hits and two walks while fanning eight for the Dodgers.

Game Notes

The Dodgers lead the Cubs 1,024-1,020 in their 121-year history...Chicago hit 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base while Los Angeles went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranded five.