Dodgers shock Giants with two runs in ninth
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[September 20, 2016]
LOS ANGELES -- Another meltdown
by the San Francisco Giants' bullpen pushed the Los Angeles Dodgers
closer to another National League West title.
Adrian Gonzalez hit a walk-off double in the ninth inning, capping a
two-run rally that gave the Dodgers a stunning 2-1 win over the
Giants on Monday night at Dodger Stadium.
"The fact that it's a big series and they definitely needed to come
in and win two out of three, if not sweep us, we put ourselves in a
good position for the next two games," said Gonzalez, who earned his
10th game-winning hit, the past three coming against the Giants.
The Dodgers (85-65) won for the fifth time in 60 games when trailing
after eight innings. They padded their lead in the NL West to six
games over the Giants (79-71), who dropped their third in a row. San
Francisco is tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for the second NL
wild-card spot, a game back of the New York Mets.
"I'll never lose confidence in these guys," Giants manager Bruce
Bochy said.
Los Angeles, which has claimed the past three division titles,
reduced its magic number to winning this year's crown to seven.
"Nothing surprises me with these guys," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts
said. "I think (resiliency) is a complete understatement."
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Giants ace Madison Bumgarner outdueled Clayton Kershaw, throwing
seven one-hit innings and handing a 1-0 lead to the bullpen. Giants
relievers Will Smith and Derek Law combined to work a scoreless
eighth before San Francisco self-destructed in the ninth.
Law served up a leadoff single to pinch hitter Andrew Toles before
being replaced by Javier Lopez (1-3). Corey Seager followed with a
single, allowing Toles to take third.
Hunter Strickland came in to relieve Lopez and promptly gave up an
RBI single to Justin Turner, scoring Toles to knot the score at 1.
Gonzalez then delivered his game-winner.
Joe Blanton (6-2) pitched a scoreless ninth for the win.
"It's definitely up there," Bumgarner said when asked if this was
the team's toughest loss to swallow. The Giants have blown nine
games when leading after eight innings.
"It's a tough loss and one we sure thought we'd come away with."
Tempers flared and the benches cleared at the end of the seventh
after Bumgarner fielded a weak grounder by Yasiel Puig and threw him
out. Following the play, the two exchanged words and confronted each
other near first base before players from both teams joined into the
fray with some minor pushing and shoving. No one was ejected.
"I got him out and he tried to stare me down or something, I don't
know," Bumgarner said. "That's what it looked like to me."
Puig had a different take.
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![](../images/092016pics/sports75.jpg)
Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) attempts to catch a foul ball
in the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants during a MLB
game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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"I just ran and he was looking in my direction and he asked why I
was looking at him, and then I asked him why he was looking at me,"
Puig said. "Maybe because (I had) the only hit (Bumgarner allowed)
made him get angry."
It was the second time Puig and Bumgarner engaged in a
confrontation. On Sept. 24, 2014, Puig and Bumgarner faced off
between the mound and home plate after the left-hander hit the
outfielder with a pitch.
Bumgarner, who was lifted for a pinch hitter in the eighth, fanned
10 without issuing a walk. Puig's second-inning double was the lone
hit he permitted.
Bumgarner, who threw 97 pitches (71 strikes) but did not factor into
the decision, also plunked Yasmani Grandal in the second and pinch
hitter Rob Segedin in the sixth. Bumgarner was bidding for his 100th
career win.
Kershaw gave up an unearned run on three hits with seven strikeouts
and a walk in six innings. Kershaw, who retired the final seven
batters he faced, threw 88 pitches (62 strikes).
The Giants grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third. Eduardo Nunez reached on
an infield single, stole second and advanced to third on catcher
Grandal's throwing error. Nunez scored on a wild pitch by Kershaw.
However, Dodgers relievers Pedro Baez, Grant Dayton and Blanton kept
the Giants hitless over the final three innings.
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NOTES: Dodgers Hall of Famer Vin Scully said the attention he is
receiving is "embarrassing" as he winds down his legendary
broadcasting career. Scully will work the booth for the final time
when the Dodgers visit the Giants on Oct. 2 in San Francisco. He
will not work the playoffs. The Dodgers are holding several
celebrations this week to honor Scully, 88, during their final
regular-season homestand. ... The Dodgers called up INF/OF Micah
Johnson from Triple-A Oklahoma City, and he appeared as a pinch
runner. ... A crowd of 43,435 attended. ... Giants RHP Johnny Cueto
(16-5, 2.86 ERA) will oppose Dodgers LHP Rich Hill (12-4, 2.06) on
Tuesday.
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