Confident Turner lifts Dodgers with big fly

SAN FRANCISCO -- Justin Turner had one hit in his previous 14 at-bats when he stepped in against Giants closer Santiago Casilla in the top of the ninth Friday night.
He made it 2-for-15 with a game-winning home run, a drive into the left-field bleachers, giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants in the series opener.
"That's something I paid attention to, working on pulling the ball and putting the ball in the air," Turner said. "A good result off that is a good feeling."
Turner, batting .221, never lost confidence in his offensive ability, and neither has Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
"The confidence doesn't waiver," Roberts said. "He gives you his best effort every night. I trust him."
Winning pitcher Clayton Kershaw said he wasn't too worried about Turner, either.
"All I've seen from him is lining out nonstop," Kershaw said. "He's just not finding it."
Turner said as much, and that's the reason he has been able to maintain his confidence level.
"I feel like I'm taking great at-bats every night," he said. "I'm not getting good results. Maybe three, four years ago, when I was less mature, I'd take it harder."
Turner owns a .277 lifetime average and has never hit below .260 in a full season. There's no reason for him to get too upset yet.