Dodgers score 8 two-out runs to drop A's
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers responded to the A's four-run seventh with a five-spot in the bottom of the inning and two more runs in the eighth, doing most of their damage with two outs, to earn a 10-7 victory and snap their three-game losing streak on Wednesday night.
A's reliever Fernando Rodriguez walked two of his four batters to begin the seventh, putting runners at first and second for Adrian Gonzalez, who notched an RBI double off lefty Drew Pomeranz. Yasmani Grandal's ensuing dribbler down the third-base line led to another run, and Kiké Hernandez put the Dodgers on top, 7-6, with a two-run double. Yasiel Puig, who hit a two-run homer in the fourth, drove in Hernandez with a single off Dan Otero to cap the rally.
After Howie Kendrick's two-run single in the eighth extended the Dodgers' lead to 10-6, the A's got a solo homer in the ninth from Brett Lawrie, who finished with four RBIs and a career-high four hits. Josh Reddick chipped in for Oakland, going 3-for-5, and Eric Sogard drove in two runs.
• Puig goes off on bobblehead night
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Two-out magic: After the A's put four runs on the board in the top of the seventh, the Dodgers had just one runner on with two outs in the bottom of the frame. Then the rally started as a Kendrick walk preceded four straight hits as Los Angeles took the lead for good with a five-spot. The Dodgers scored eight runs with two outs on the night.
"There were a lot of big at-bats," manager Don Mattingly said. "It just kind of kept going and that got us back in it." More >
Video: OAK@LAD: Dodgers plate five in the 7th inning
Bullpen meltdown: An A's bullpen that had posted a 2.80 ERA since the All-Star break returned to its old ways, letting a three-run lead quickly slip away. Oakland relievers surrendered seven runs on nine hits in its 19th loss of the season. Pomeranz, who had not allowed a run in 11 of his last 12 appearances, was responsible for three of them after facing just three batters.
"It's been tough for us this year, it has," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "Recently, we've been pretty good. We've probably had our best streak with the bullpen here recently, but not tonight." More >
Video: OAK@LAD: Kendrick singles home two runs in the 8th
No relief: Dodgers reliever J.P. Howell had a few streaks snapped during the A's four-run seventh inning. Howell was charged with three runs (two earned) on three hits while recording just one out. Howell hadn't allowed a run in 18 innings, a span of 22 games, and he hadn't allowed an earned run since April 10, a span of 28 1/3 innings that dated back to his third appearance of the season.
Video: OAK@LAD: Sogard's chopper plates two in the 7th
Bright spots: Despite staring down a deflating loss by night's end, the A's walked away having done plenty of good things amid the bad. With runners at the corners in the fourth, Sam Fuld executed a beauty of a bunt down the first-base line for an RBI hit. Fuld also singled in the A's four-run seventh that featured a double steal leading up to Sogard's two-run single, and he made a tremendous diving catch in the eighth to rob Scott Van Slyke of a hit.
Video: Must C Catch: Fuld spreads wings for amazing an grab
QUOTABLE
"It felt great. It's been like two months since I got a hit." -- Puig, on breaking out of a 2-for-24 slump on Yasiel Puig Bobblehead Night at Dodger Stadium
Video: OAK@LAD: Puig homers for mom on his Bobblehead Night
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
In the seventh inning, the A's challenged the ruling on the field that Puig was safe at second base. After an RBI single, Puig advanced to second on the throw, which was cut off and relayed to second base. After the review, the call was overturned and Puig was ruled out to end the inning.
Video: OAK@LAD: Puig adds insurance run with RBI single
WHAT'S NEXT
Athletics: The A's head back north for an 11-game homestand that begins Thursday with the first of four games against Brandon Moss and the Indians. Right-hander Chris Bassitt, who is 0-3 despite pitching to a 2.74 ERA in four starts, will be on the mound in the 7:05 p.m. PT series opener.
Dodgers: The Dodgers are off Thursday before hosting the Angels for a weekend series at Dodger Stadium. Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to start Friday's 7:10 p.m. PT opener after being scratched on Wednesday due to sore hip muscles. The ace lefty is riding a scoreless streak of 29 innings and has thrown shutouts in two of his last three starts.
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