Cubs Caught by Dodgers in the Ninth : Baseball: Double by Offerman makes the score 2-2, sends the game into extra innings. Maddux foiled in bid for No. 16.

Greg Maddux, one of the sharpest pitchers in baseball, had the Dodgers baffled for seven innings Friday night at Dodger Stadium.

Maddux had a 2-0 lead and the Chicago Cubs’ star seemed a cinch for his 16th victory.

But the Dodgers scored during the eighth, knocked Maddux out with another run during the ninth, making the score 2-2. The Dodgers stranded runners on first and second in the 10th inning and the game was in the top of the 11th inning.

Jose Offerman singled in the first Dodger run, then doubled home pinch-runner Eric Young to tie the score in the bottom of the ninth.

Except for young catcher Carlos Hernandez, who went three for three, Maddux, who has won 15 or more games for five consecutive seasons, had little trouble with the Dodgers until they finally scored in the eighth inning.

Maddux had a four-hitter going into the eighth when the Dodgers blew a chance to at least get a tie.

Pinch-hitter Mike Sharperson singled to open the inning and went to third when third baseman Steve Buechele threw the ball into right field.

Offerman singled Sharperson home and was bunted into scoring position. Lenny Harris looped a single to center, but Offerman had to stop at third.

Bob Ojeda, seeking his seventh victory, escaped a first-inning jam by retiring Luis Salazar on a line drive to shortstop Offerman with the bases loaded. But during the third, he gave up two runs after walking Ryne Sandberg to open the inning. Mark Grace and Andre Dawson followed with singles to right for the first run and the second scored when Buechele flied to right.