Gonzalez's 2-Run Homer Lifts Dodgers Over Brewers, 4-3
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Adrian Gonzalez hit a two-run homer to put the Dodgers ahead in the eighth inning, and NL West-leading Los Angeles beat the last-place Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 on Sunday.
The Dodgers took two out of three from the Brewers to go into the All-Star break with a 51-39 record.
Pedro Baez (2-1) got the victory with a strikeout in one inning of relief. Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth to earn his 16th save in 17 chances, including his last nine since June 12.
Howie Kendrick singled leading off the eighth on his 32nd birthday and advanced to second after center fielder Carlos Gomez misplayed the ball for an error. Gonzalez followed with his 18th homer on an 0-2 pitch from Will Smith (4-1), giving the Dodgers a 4-3 lead.
Smith gave up one run and two hits in 1/3 of an inning of relief.
The Dodgers tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the first on Justin Turner's two-out RBI single. They closed to 3-2 in the fifth on A.J. Ellis' leadoff homer.
Turner went 3 for 4. Yasiel Puig, an All-Star a year ago as a rookie, saw his offensive woes continue, going hitless in four at-bats with two strikeouts.
Los Angeles also had the tying and go-ahead runs on base in the seventh with two outs. Kike Hernandez beat out an infield single to third and pinch-hitter Alberto Callaspo walked, but Jimmy Rollins flied out to end the inning.
The Brewers' Hernan Perez snapped a 1-1 tie leading off the third when he homered for the first time in his career on the first pitch from Brett Anderson. Perez's fielder's choice grounder in the fourth made it 3-1.
Ryan Braun, who became a six-time All-Star in replacing injured Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday on Sunday, homered with two outs in the first.
Anderson gave up three runs and eight hits in seven innings. The left-hander struck out three and walked none.
Milwaukee starter Kyle Lohse allowed two runs and four hits in five innings. He struck out six and walked none.
UP NEXT
Brewers: They resume after the All-Star break with a five-game series at home, starting Friday against Pittsburgh. RH Mike Fiers (4-7, 3.96 ERA) will start. Milwaukee is 9-9 in his starts, including wins in each of his last four outings.
Dodgers: They hit the road after the break for a 10-game trip, starting Friday at NL East-leading Washington.
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