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 "I'm not worried about any rumors, I'm just worried about helping
the team win anyway," Kemp said. "I've been working on some things
(offensively), and it's been working for me. Might as well just
stick with it and just keep it going."
Kemp, who is rumored to be on his way out of Los Angeles, homered
twice and drove in a season-high four runs, sparking the Dodgers to
an 8-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night at Dodger
Stadium.
The right fielder, who went 3-for-4, guided the Dodgers (60-47) to
their first four-game winning streak of the season and a win over
the Braves (58-49) in the teams' first meeting since Los Angeles
captured last season's National League Division Series.
The score was 4-4 in the seventh before consecutive singles by
center fielder Yasiel Puig, who went 4-for-5 with a double and a
triple, and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who finished 3-for-5 with
two doubles and two RBIs, put runners on the corners with no outs.
After shortstop Hanley Ramirez struck out, Puig scored on left
fielder Carl Crawford's groundout to give the Dodgers a lead. Kemp
followed with his second homer of the night and 10th of the season,
a towering blast over the wall in center off reliever Anthony
Varvaro (3-3), who allowed three runs on four hits in one inning.
"He's been nails for the whole year," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez
said of Varvaro. "It just happened today (he was) facing a pretty
good hitting lineup that is clicking on all cylinders."
Kemp praised his teammates and the Dodgers' offensive attack, which
produced 15 hits.
"I think we're all in a groove right now," said Kemp, who had his
seventh career multi-homer game. "We're playing really good
baseball. We went into San Francisco and swept a good Giants team,
and we can back tonight and beat another good Atlanta team. I think
everybody's confidence is high. We just have to keep going."
Said Crawford, "Matt came through real big for us today."
Dodgers reliever Brandon League (2-2) gave up a walk and a hit in a
scoreless seventh inning. After J.P. Howell put two runners on base
in the eighth, closer Kenley Jansen came on to get the final four
outs and record his career-best 31st save.
Los Angeles starter Josh Beckett was charged with four runs on nine
hits with four walks (one intentional) and two strikeouts in 4 1/3
innings. He didn't figure in the decision.
Neither did Atlanta's Aaron Harang, who gave up four runs on nine
hits with three strikeouts and a walk in six innings.
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"That's about as close to an American League lineup that we've faced in a
long time," Gonzalez said, "and they're clicking pretty good right now.
I thought Harang did a nice job just giving up four runs in six innings.
He (had) to get himself through the tough guys in that lineup."
In the first, Braves leadoff hitter B.J. Upton reached on an infield
single and advanced to second on a walk to second baseman Tommy La
Stella. The Atlanta center fielder stole third, and he scored on left
fielder Justin Upton's sacrifice fly. The run ended Beckett's string of
23 scoreless innings against the Braves.
After Crawford walked to lead off the second inning, Kemp hit a 2-2
pitch from Harang off the top of the right field wall and into the seats
for a two-run shot and a 2-1 Los Angeles lead.
Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman launched a two-run blast off
Beckett with no outs in the third, allowing Atlanta to grab a 3-2
advantage.
Shortstop Andrelton Simmons' RBI double with one out in the fifth gave
Atlanta a two-run cushion and chased Beckett.
The Dodgers tied the score in the bottom of the inning as Puig led off
with a triple in the gap in right-center and scored on Gonzalez's
double. Crawford drove in Gonzalez with a single to center to pull Los
Angeles even at 4-4.
NOTES: The Dodgers announced that legendary broadcaster Vin Scully will
return for his 66th season next year. ... Braves RHP Shae Simmons was
placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Saturday due to a
right shoulder strain. The reliever was 1-2 with a 2.91 ERA, but he
allowed five earned runs in his last six innings. RHP Juan Jaime was
recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to fill Simmons' roster spot. ... INF
Darwin Barney, who was acquired by the Dodgers in a trade with the
Chicago Cubs on Monday, is expected to join the club Wednesday. ... The
game drew a crowd of 49,630.
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
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