NLDS Game 1

Dodgers first baseman James Loney watches the flight of his grand slam as he leaves the batter’s box during the fifth inning Wednesday at Wrigley Field.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Slugger Manny Ramirez gets high-fives from teammates after the Dodgers defeated the Chicago Cubs, 7-2, in Game 1 of their playoff series on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Cubs center fielder Jim Edmonds watches Dodgers catcher Russell Martin‘s solo home run in the eighth inning bounce around the netting above the wall on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Chicago Cubs fans try to stay positive late in the game at Wrigley Field on Wednesday night despite trailing the Dodgers, 7-2.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez follows through after connecting on a low pitch wtih two strikes that went for a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Dodger left fielder Manny Ramirez lets go of his bat after following through on his solo home run in the seventh inning Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier congratulates left fielder Manny Ramirez after his home run in the sixth inning Wednesday night against the Chicago Cubs.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers starting pitcher Derek Lowe waits for Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa during his home-run trot in the second inning Wednesday at Wrigley Field during Game 1 of their series. DeRosa hit a two-run homer.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa pumps his fist after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning against the Dodgers during Game 1 of their playoff series Wednesday at Wrigley Field.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano leaps to make a catch down the left-field line during Game 1 of the Dodgers-Cubs playoff series on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier strikes out to end the third inning with the bases loaded during Game 1 of the playoff series against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday at Wrigley Field.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Cubs center fielder Jim Edmonds and shortstop Ryan Theriot can only watch the ball bounce off the turf in the third inning Wednesday for a bloop single by Dodgers second baseman Blake DeWitt, who would later triple and score in the eighth inning on a hit by Casey Blake.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers second baseman Blake DeWitt watches his relay to first base complete a double play against Derek Lee and the Chicago Cubs to end the third inning. Aramis Ramirez was out at first base.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal breaks toward first base after striking out to start the game against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. Cubs catcher Geovany Soto picked up the ball and made the throw to first for the out.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers starting pitcher Derek Lowe gave up seven hits and two runs in six innings of work against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. He struck out six and walked one.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Cubs starting pitcher Ryan Dempster didn’t make it out of the fifth inning Wednesday against the Dodgers. He gave up four hits, seven walks and four runs -- all on a grand slam by James Loney.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Fans in the right-field bleachers scramble to catch a home run hit during batting practice Wednesday evening before the Dodgers-Cubs game at Wrigley Field in Chicago.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Allan Santizo bobbles a home run during batting practice before the Dodgers-Cubs playoff game Wednesday at Wrigley Field.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A vendor on Sheffield Avenue has signs of optimism for sale to Cubs fans before the start of the National League Division Series against the Dodgers on Wednesday.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)