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 The evidence, however, says otherwise.
The Dodgers clubbed three more home runs Tuesday in an 8-2 victory
over the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.
And even after that performance, which boosted Los Angeles'
MLB-leading total to 42 for the season, manager Don Mattingly still
hesitates to call his squad a home-run hitting team.
"I wouldn't (say) that," he said. "This is a pretty good hitting
ballpark."
Third baseman Justin Turner got the Dodgers offense started with a
three-run blast off Garza in the sixth that wiped out a 1-0 deficit.
Shortstop Jimmy Rollins and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez each hit
two-run home runs in the eighth inning as the Dodgers broke the game
open against the Brewers' bullpen.
"We just stayed after it today," Mattingly said. "Obviously, we were
kind of fighting (Brewers right-hander Matt) Garza for awhile and at
least were able to get his pitch count up a little bit. We were able
to get on him a little bit there."
The late offensive production helped right-hander Zack Greinke
remain undefeated.
Greinke (5-0) was dominant from the start, scattering two hits over
eight innings. Milwaukee's only run was unearned; coming as a result
of an error on center fielder Joc Pederson in the second.
"He was good tonight," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "I think
since he's been (with the Dodgers) he developed this changeup that's
really a weapon for him. He's become a four-pitch guy now, and that
changeup is a true weapon, almost more than his slider at this
point."
For a while, though, it seemed like all the Brewers would need.
Garza (2-4) cruised through his first five innings but ran into
trouble in the sixth, allowing a one-out single to second baseman
Howie Kendrick then walking Gonzalez.
That brought up Turner, who sent a 3-1 slider to center for his
fourth home run of the season and gave Greinke a 3-1 cushion.
"It was a mistake," said Garza, who was charged with three runs on
four hits and three walks while striking out five. "I was just
trying to make pitches. My slider was good, it's been good. I felt I
had good stuff tonight. One pitch cost me."
The Dodgers broke the game open in the seventh.
Greinke got things started with a one-out double off right-hander
Rob Wooten. Counsell turned to lefty Neal Cotts, who struck out
Pederson before giving up the home run to Rollins.
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Kendrick drew a walk to bring up Gonzalez, who drilled a fastball to
center for his ninth of the season.
Gonzalez also walked twice Tuesday and reached base in seven of his
eight plate appearances in the series.
"That was a pretty good ways up there," Mattingly said. "He's been
good."
Third baseman Aramis Ramirez got things started for Milwaukee in the
second with single to left. He scored when Pederson couldn't hold
onto to a fly ball from Jean Segura, who reached second on the error
before Greinke closed the inning getting catcher Martin Maldonado to
fly out to center.
The loss snapped the Brewers' three-game winning streak, which was
their longest of the season.
NOTES: Milwaukee reinstated 2B Scooter Gennett from the 15-day
disabled list and optioned OF Logan Schafer to Triple-A Colorado
Springs. Gennett was out since April 21 with a lacerated right hand.
... Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly tweaked his rotation slightly,
bumping RHP Carlos Frias back a day to Thursday. RHP Joe Wieland
will be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to start Wednesday
against the Brewers. Mattingly said the move was made just to give
Frias an extra day of rest. ... SS Jean Segura returned to the
Brewers' lineup Tuesday. He was struck in the helmet by a fastball
from Sunday and was held out Monday as a precautionary measure. ...
The Dodgers are east of Phoenix for the first time this season.
Prior to Monday, they played 15 home games and nine on the road at
Arizona, San Francisco and San Diego.
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