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 The Giants won seven of the past eight games played in Los
Angeles in the series between National League West rivals and six of
eight games this season.
San Francisco opened a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning when
shortstop Brandon Crawford clubbed his fourth home run of the
season, a two-run shot with second baseman Brandon Hicks aboard.
In the second, Giants first baseman Brandon Belt suffered a broken
left thumb when he was hit by a fastball from Dodgers starter Paul
Maholm. Belt initially stayed in the game but left before the bottom
of the inning.
Giants manager Bruce Bochey later noted, "He could be looking at
around six weeks," when asked for how much time he thought Belt
might have to miss while healing.
The Giants tacked on a run in the sixth when right fielder Hunter
Pence reached first base safely on a ground ball and was eventually
knocked in by first baseman Joaquin Arias.
The Dodgers countered in the bottom of the sixth when right fielder
Yasiel Puig clubbed a solo home run to dead center, cutting the lead
to 3-1.
Puig's fifth homer of the year created some fireworks. Giants
catcher Buster Posey took exception to Puig's slow exit from the
batter's box and proceeded to tell the Cuban outfielder about it
after he rounded the bases and headed toward home plate.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly was ejected shortly thereafter, the
first time he has been tossed this season and 13th time in his
career.
"(Mattingly) was ejected going to battle for us, it's supposed to
fire you up" said shortstop Dee Gordon. "He didn't mean to get
tossed. He was just going to bat for his guys and that's all you can
ask for."
For his part, Mattingly was a little more pointed in his post-game
remarks, adding, "It always surprises me when guys react to things
when their team does the same type stuff. It's always the double
standard."
Puig has now hit safely in nine straight games, batting above .400
in the process. Yet that was pretty much the last of the Dodgers'
offense for the night.
Left fielder Scott Van Slyke said he knew there were problems
coming.
"Before (Puig) came down the third base line I figured there was
going to be some words exchanged," he said. "I think Puig was a
little upset he threw a pitch when he wasn't looking. He felt
wronged, I guess, and things got a little heated."
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Giants starter Madison Bumgarner's wizardry at Dodger Stadium
continued. The San Francisco left-hander allowed just one run. He
also struck out eight batters while only allowing one walk.
He also tried to downplay the issue with Puig, offering a little wit
to defuse the situation.
"I was just congratulating him. That was a tremendous swing of the
bat," he said. "I think he said thank you (in return). I'm not sure,
I don't speak Spanish very well."
Van Slyke offered some brief analysis when asked what Bumgarner does
to throw teams off balance.
"He has four really good pitches and he throws 94 (mph)," he said.
"He controls his cutter, he has a good change up and he can elevate
(the ball)."
With 12 wins in the last 15 games, the Giants remained in first
place in the NL West and extended their lead to two games over the
Colorado Rockies, who lost to the Cincinnati Reds earlier in the
evening.
Sergio Romo picked up the save for the Giants, his 12th of the year.
Dodgers starter Paul Maholm gave up three hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Right-hander Brandon League replaced Maholm.
NOTES: Giants LHP Madison Bumgarner entered the game leading all
active pitchers in ERA at Dodger Stadium (with a minimum of 50
innings pitched). Bumgarner's 1.98 ERA was better than Kenley Jansen
(2.06), Zack Greinke (2.12) and Clayton Kershaw (2.20). Bumgarner
also began the night 0-4 in his previous four starts against the
Dodgers. ... Dodgers 2B Dee Gordon leads the team and ranks fourth
in the major leagues with a .338 batting average (45-for-133) this
season. ... Dodgers RF Yasiel Puig has a nine-game hitting streak.
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