CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-4 on Thursday night. Here's a quick look at the game.

How it happened: The Cubs got on the board in the first inning as the first four batters reached against Zack Greinke. Luis Valbuena and Jorge Soler had run-scoring singles, but with the Dodgers starter on the ropes Ryan Kalish inexplicably tried a sacrifice bunt -- and failed -- as Greinke got the next two batters and limited the damage. A groundout by A.J. Ellis cut Chicago's lead to 2-1 in the fifth, but the Cubs scored twice more in the bottom of the inning when Soler brought another run home with a hit and Mike Olt followed two batters later with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly. The Dodgers went to work on reliever Neil Ramirez in the seventh after Logan Watkins booted a potential inning-ending double-play ball at second base. Three run-scoring plays came after the error as Los Angeles rode a five-run inning to a 6-4 lead. Brian Schlitter walked in a run in the eighth as the Cubs melted down in the late innings. A Matt Kemp sacrifice fly in the ninth completed the scoring for the Dodgers. The game lasted nearly four hours.

What it means: The game might not mean much in the standings -- at least for the Cubs -- but players such as Watkins are fighting for jobs next season. The 25-year-old was shaky all night and committed his fifth and sixth errors in only the 12th game he has played in the field this year. The Cubs want versatility out of their role players, and if any backup's glove is suspect he won't be long for the roster in 2015. Olt didn't look good at first base, either.

Soler continues to keep any slumps to a minimum as he has heated up again since returning from paternity leave. He was 2-for-4 with two more RBIs. In fact, the top five hitters in the Cubs' lineup all had two hits, but Chicago managed to score in only two innings.

Renovations: Before the game, Cubs president Theo Epstein said clubhouse renovations at Wrigley Field will be ready for Opening Day 2016.

What's next: Game 2 of the series is set for 1:20 Friday afternoon, matching Edwin Jackson (6-14, 6.09 ERA) against Clayton Kershaw (19-3, 1.70).