CHICAGO -- Seiya Suzuki had three RBI and Michael Busch homered against his former team, helping the Chicago Cubs beat Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-7 on Friday.
Dansby Swanson also connected as Chicago earned its fifth consecutive win after dropping its first two games of the season. Ian Happ added a key two-run triple on a windy, sun-splashed afternoon, and Nick Madrigal had two hits.
"It's a really good start offensively for us," Cubs Manager Craig Counsell said. "Just the at-bats throughout the lineup, that's going to produce runs. Just tough at-bats, and it's certainly something that's fun to watch."
Suzuki got the better of Ohtani in the opener of a weekend series that features four of the majors' best Japanese players. Ohtani hit a two-run homer in his first career game at Wrigley Field, but Suzuki lined a two-run double during Chicago's five-run second inning and lofted a sacrifice fly in the sixth.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitches for Los Angeles today, and Shota Imanaga makes his second start for Chicago on Sunday.
"I think it all started with all the other Japanese players that came before us," Suzuki said through a translator. "They made the transition for us to be able to come over here as well. So trying to show a lot of appreciation to them."
Ohtani did not speak with the media after the game.
Teoscar Hernandez had three hits and four RBI for Los Angeles, which had won four in a row and six of seven overall. Will Smith had four hits and Freddie Freeman scored three runs in the Dodgers' first true road game of the season.
Los Angeles right-hander Bobby Miller (1-1) was tagged for five runs and four hits in 1 2/3 innings on his 25th birthday. Miller grew up in McHenry, Ill., about 50 miles northwest of Chicago.
"I just was kind of just guiding my off-speed to the plate," Miller said. "I wasn't really ripping it like I normally do. So it's just something I am going to work on in my next 'pen out of the stretch."
Drew Smyly (1-1) worked 2 2/3 innings for the win. Adbert Alzolay got three outs for his first save of the season.
The Dodgers put runners on second and third with two out in the ninth, but Busch snared James Outman's liner to first with a diving catch -- the finale in an impressive defensive performance by the Cubs' infielders.
"This is a tough lineup to get through. It presents serious challenges," Counsell said. "You need to make plays at some point and we did that today."
Busch's solo drive to right lifted the Cubs to a 6-2 lead in the third. Busch was acquired in a January trade with Los Angeles.
The Dodgers responded with three runs in the fifth against Kyle Hendricks. Ohtani homered for the second consecutive game, and Smith added an RBI double.
The Cubs got some breathing room when Happ's sinking sixth-inning liner to right went under the glove of a charging Hernandez, driving in Nico Hoerner and Yan Gomes. Happ then scored on Suzuki's sacrifice fly.
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 5, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Chris Taylor dives to second base on a wild pitch by Chicago Cubs pitcher Julian Merryweather during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 5, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell returns to the dugout after making a pitching change during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, April 5, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Chicago Cubs pitcher Adbert Alzolay throws against the Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 5, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Chicago Cubs' Michael Busch signals to the dugout after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, April 5, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Chicago Cubs' Michael Busch celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, April 5, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani is showered with sunflower seeds after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 5, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)