Dodgers squander chances in 4-2 loss to Cubs

KEY MOMENT: The Dodgers held a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson drew consecutive walks with two outs. Up came Justin Turner, who was batting .349 with runners in scoring position, only for Puig to be picked off at second base by catcher David Ross. “That’s the only time we had a runner in scoring position the whole game,” A.J. Ellis said. In the bottom half of the inning, Clayton Kershaw served up a two-run home run to Kris Bryant that moved the Cubs in front, 2-1.

AT THE PLATE: AThe Dodgers arrived to Wrigley Field short on sleep. They took a red-eye flight after their Sunday evening home game against the San Francisco Giants and didn’t get to their hotel in Chicago until 5 a.m. Monday. The Dodgers’ entire run production Monday night consisted of home runs by Enrique Hernandez, in the third inning, and Pederson, in the ninth. Pederson’s home run was his 19th.

ON THE MOUND: Kershaw, who dropped to 5-5, gave up three runs and four hits over seven innings. In addition to the home run he gave up to Bryant, he served up a solo home run to Matt Szczur in the seventh inning. Left-hander Adam Liberatore gave up a home run to Bryant, a solo blast in the eighth inning.

TRANSACTIONS: Right-hander Joel Peralta was activated from the 15-day disabled list and left-hander Ian Thomas was promoted from triple-A Oklahoma City. In corresponding moves, the Dodgers sent Daniel Coulombe and Matt West to Oklahoma City. Peralta, 39, had been sidelined since late April because of nerve-related problems. He said he was days away from agreeing to have a neck operation that could have ended his career. “God turned it around,” Peralta said.

EXTRA BASES: Andre Ethier will remain the team’s starting left field even after Carl Crawford returns from the DL, Manager Don Mattingly said. “Andre’s kind of taken that spot, to be honest with you,” Mattingly said. Crawford started the season as the team’s starting left fielder, but has been sidelined since late April because of a torn side muscle. In about 10 days, Crawford could start playing in games to prepare himself for his eventual return to the major leagues. … Cubs starter Tsyoshi Wada was removed from the game in the third inning because of a shoulder muscle cramp.

UP NEXT: Zack Greinke (5-2, 1.81 ERA) will face the Cubs and Jason Hammel (5-2, 2.89) on Tuesday at 5 p.m. PDT at Wrigley Field. TV: SportsNet LA; Radio: 570, 1020.

—Dylan Hernandez