Giants win in 12th, put heat on Dodgers
SAN FRANCISCO -- Pinch-hitter Alejandro De Aza's sacrifice fly over a five-man infield scored Marlon Byrd in the bottom of the 12th inning Monday night as the Giants delayed the Dodgers' clinch party with a 3-2 walk-off win at AT&T Park.
The Dodgers have lost four straight and eight of their last 10. With a magic number of two, they can clinch their third consecutive National League West title with one win in any of the three games remaining in the series.
"It was a tough one to lose, but I was happy with the way our guys played; especially as the game went on, the focus got better and better," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. "We're in a better environment, the team across the way we know is a championship caliber club and you know you've got to play well."
Jake Peavy of the Giants and Zack Greinke of the Dodgers pitched seven-inning no-decisions. Peavy allowed an RBI single by rookie Corey Seager. Greinke, returning after missing a start with a sore calf, allowed a two-run double by rookie Trevor Brown.
"Peavy, it starts with him," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "What an effort he gave us going against [Greinke]. I couldn't be prouder of the kids, how they played."
Video: LAD@SF: Bochy on Giants' walk-off win over Dodgers
The Dodgers tied the game in the top of the ninth on singles by Seager and Adrian Gonzalez off lefty Josh Osich, a sacrifice by Justin Turner and an RBI groundout by Andre Ethier.
"I felt it was a real intense game," said Greinke. "We played great, they played really good. Peavy pitched as good as I've seen him pitch. It was a game played really well all the way around."
Video: LAD@SF: Greinke fans seven, holds Giants to two runs
The Dodgers left runners on base in each of the last four innings and were repeatedly frustrated by defensive gems from San Francisco second baseman Kelby Tomlinson.
"Get rid of that second baseman of theirs; he made a number of plays on us," said Mattingly. "On Andre with a chance to win it, on Chase [Utley] with a chance to win it."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Tom terrific: Tomlinson was Peavy's best friend in the field. The rookie made a full-extension dive to rob Seager of a base hit in the sixth inning and followed it up with a sliding, backhanded stop to keep Utley off the bases in the seventh. His brilliant glove work allowed Peavy to work from the windup throughout both innings, enabling him to go deeper into the game.
Video: LAD@SF: Tomlinson slides to make backhanded play
"It does so much for the starting pitcher, saves his pitches," Bochy said of Tomlinson's defense. "Those are game-saving plays. That's how critical they are." More >
Stealing a run: Carl Crawford stole his seventh base since Aug. 28 and it made the difference between scoring and not scoring. With two out in the third inning, Crawford was held to a single on a nice play by right fielder Byrd. By stealing second base, Crawford was able to score on Seager's single to center.
Video: LAD@SF: Seager lines single to drive in Crawford
Brown not green: Brown had just 22 career at-bats entering Monday, but you wouldn't know it by watching him at the plate. Brown looked like a veteran working the count against Greinke and smacking a double to right-center to drive in two runs. He added a single in the eighth to improve his average to .320 (8-for-25).
Video: LAD@SF: Brown drives double to knock in a pair in 2nd
"Brownie's got a lot of confidence," Peavy said. "Brownie feels like he belongs. The moment's not too big for him. He's a smart kid. He's educated and he's not letting the situation get the best of him."
QUOTABLE
"I think it's more about playing as good as we can and not focusing too much on that. Doing what you can, having good at-bats and making good pitches and things will take care of itself instead of assuming it's going to happen. We're playing how we should." -- Greinke on not worrying about the magic number.
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
The Giants' seven consecutive home wins against the Dodgers this year are the most they have had since winning eight straight in 1961.
REPLAY CHALLENGE
With one out in the bottom of the sixth inning, Mattingly challenged first-base umpire Dana DeMuth's safe call on Greinke's pickoff attempt of baserunner Jarrett Parker. The call was overturned and Parker was ruled out.
Video: LAD@SF: Greinke picks off Parker at first base in 6th
WHAT'S NEXT
Dodgers: The last time Clayton Kershaw faced the Giants was earlier this month, when he struck out 15 to complete a series sweep in Los Angeles. He'll take the mound for Tuesday night's 7:15 p.m. PT start coming off a five-inning win over the D-backs, when he blew up at manager Don Mattingly for being lifted so quickly. In his last 15 starts, he's 10-1 with a 1.35 ERA.
Giants: Madison Bumgarner (18-8, 2.88 ERA) opposes Kershaw for the fourth time this season. The Giants left-hander has won 10 of his last 14 trips to the mound and needs one win to set a personal record. Bumgarner looks to become the Giants' first 19-game winner in 18 seasons.
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