The Los Angeles Dodgers concluded their homestand with a 7-3 win. Their magic number to clinch the National League West is six, but could change Wednesday night once the San Diego Padres play the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Missed opportunities, including not capitalizing after loading the bases with nobody out, cost the Dodgers as the Giants wound up breaking the scoreless tie on David Villar’s two-run home run in the fifth inning. However, their lead was short-lived as Justin Turner put the Dodgers up with a three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth.
Turner had previously extended his MLB-leading hitting streak to 16 games, and finished the day 2-for-4 with one walk.
Clayton Kershaw preserved the lead as he got through six innings with eight strikeouts. The outing was his second start since coming off the 15-day injured list and further proof he’s recovered from lower back pain.
Justin Bruihl was first to appear out of the Dodgers bullpen, and he wound up allowing a game-tying home run to Villar. The multi-homer game was Villar’s first of his career. Bruihl later gave up a two-out base hit before being replaced by Evan Phillips, who threw 1.1 scoreless innings.
Austin Barnes sparked a rally for the Dodgers with a leadoff single in the bottom of the eighth that was cashed in by Trea Turner hitting a line drive that carried over Joc Pederson’s head in left field for a go-ahead RBI double. Max Muncy provided insurance by punctuating the big inning with a three-run homer.
The home run was Muncy’s third in the past two games and 21st of his career against the Giants.
Dodgers injuries: Joey Gallo
Joey Gallo made a second consecutive start but was removed in the fifth inning because of a right elbow contusion. Gallo was hit by a pitch from Alex Cobb in second inning.
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