Cubs can't turn bling magic into runs in shutout loss to Dodgers

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OK, now the 2017 season can truly begin for the Cubs.

The championship banner has been raised and flaps in the wind in right center at Wrigley Field. The epic 108-diamond-studded and goat-encrusted World Series rings are in the possession of their rightful owners.

Wednesday night marked the end of the look back at the magical 2016 season, even if the 45-degree mid-April evening finished with the Cubs losing to the Dodgers 2-0.

Roughly a half hour after the ring ceremony, Andrew Toles brought the entire stadium back to Earth with a leadoff homer into the blistering wind in right field.

That was the only run of the game until the top of the ninth. Hector Rondon had Toles swinging on strike three in the dirt, but instead of ending the inning, Willson Contreras threw the ball off Anthony Rizzo's glove and into right field, allowing Chase Utley to motor all the way around from first base for an insurance run.

Rondon was injured on the play in an awkward collision while trying to tag Utley out at home plate and had to be removed from the game.

[CUBS TICKETS: Get your seats right here]

The Cubs had nine baserunners on the night on five singles, three walks and Albert Almora Jr. reaching on an error in the eighth inning. But no Cub advanced past second base against Brandon McCarthy and a trio of Dodgers relievers.

John Lackey settled in to strike out 10 through six innings, allowing four hits, three walks and the lone run.

The distractions have now concluded, and the Cubs can get back to focusing on the task at hand on the diamond.

"The celebration's over," Lackey said. "Now it's time to start working on another one."

The Cubs' "new" season begins Thursday afternoon on CSN and streaming right here on CSNChicago.com. Coverage begins at 12:30 p.m. with Cubs Pregame Live.

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