Dodgers 1, Cubs 0
CHICAGO -- Right-hander Stephen Fife came off the disabled list to pitch 5 1/3 scoreless innings and A.J. Ellis singled home the game's lone run as the Los Angeles Dodgers edged the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Sunday.
The victory completed a four-game series sweep and extended the Dodgers' franchise record road winning streak to 14 games.
The Cubs have now lost four straight and seven of their last eight.
The sweep was the first over the Cubs since 1988 as the National League West leaders moved 12 games above .500. On June 21, they were 12 games below and have gone 31-7 since.
Fife, activated off the disabled list on Sunday, scattered seven hits in his first outing since July 6. He struck out five, walked two and improved to (4-3) in his ninth start.
Kenley Jansen struck out the side in the ninth for his 17th save.
Cubs right-hander Carlos Villanueva (2-8) saw a winless streak reach 11 starts despite six innings of one-run, two-hit ball.
The Cubs threatened in the first inning with leadoff batter David DeJesus at third base after a Dioner Navarro double. But Nate Schierholtz grounded to second to leave him stranded.
Los Angeles pushed across one run in the second as Ramirez walked to lead off, advanced to second on a walk to Andre Ethier and scored on A.J. Ellis' single to right.
DeJesus was perched on third again in the third inning after a one-out single and Anthony Rizzo's two-out base hit to center. But Navarro grounded out to end the inning.
Fife was strong until the sixth when he gave up back-to-back singles to Navarro and Schierholtz with none out and a one-out base hit to rookie Logan Watkins to load the bases.
Right-hander Chris Withrow quelled the rally as shortstop Donnie Murphy popped up to short left and pinch-hitter Cole Gillespie grounded to first.
Villanueva threw 101 pitches and gave up a season-low two hits while walking three and striking out five. Villanueva's last win came April 18 at Texas.
Dodger shortstop Hanley Ramirez tumbled into the stands along the third base line after catching a foul ball in the seventh. He was helped off the field with an apparent injured right shoulder and was replaced by Nick Punto.
NOTES: The Cubs placed INF Luis Valbuena on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Saturday with a right oblique strain and recalled Watkins from Triple-A Iowa. Watkins was inserted in Sunday's lineup for his first major league start. ... Chicago had gone 31-31 since May 26 but is 1-7 in its last eight games. ... The Cubs and Dodgers meet again for three games at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 26-28. ... The Dodgers reinstated Fife off the 15-day disabled list and gave him Sunday's start in place of Greinke, who was originally scheduled. Los Angeles also optioned OF/1B Scott Van Slyke to Triple-A Albuquerque. ... Jansen now has 17 saves in 20 chances and had 10 consecutive saves in as many chances. He also has retired 25 consecutive batters since July 24.
