Dodgers romp to keep Giants in second
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers threw a daunting combination of Sunday punches, forcing Tim Lincecum to experience his shortest career start before clubbing four home runs, two by Yasmani Grandal, in a 10-2 rout. The outcome ended the Giants' five-game winning streak against the Dodgers and restored Los Angeles' 1 1/2-game lead over San Francisco in the National League West.
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Yasiel Puig's two-run single was the biggest hit in Los Angeles' four-run second inning that finished Lincecum (7-4). The right-hander went 1 1/3 innings, allowing five runs and seven hits. All of the Dodgers' home runs came off Lincecum's successor, Yusmeiro Petit. Grandal went deep in the third and fourth innings, Adrian Gonzalez hit his 12th home run leading off the fourth and Justin Turner added a two-run drive in the fifth inning.
"The offensive explosion leaves a good taste in your mouth going on the road," Dodgers starter Brett Anderson said, as the Dodgers start a 10-game road trip Monday. "Hopefully it'll be a catalyst for us."
The Dodgers chased Lincecum in the second inning as Puig, Joc Pederson and Turner, the last three hitters he faced, each delivered hits on two-strike counts. Bochy pointed out that flaw while adding, "Petit had a rough day. He was missing his spots, too."
That provided ample support for Anderson (3-4), who was 0-2 with a 7.82 ERA in three previous starts this season against San Francisco. Anderson yielded a run and five hits in six innings.
Video: SF@LAD: Anderson holds Giants to one run through six
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Puig's persistence: In only his fourth game this season hitting leadoff, Puig jump-started the Dodgers' second inning with a 10-pitch at-bat. Puig fouled off five pitches and worked the count full before lining a single up the middle for a two-run double. His two RBIs gave the Dodgers a 3-0 lead and was one of six hits in a four-run inning.
Video: SF@LAD: Puig plates a pair with a single to center
Missed opportunity: Believe it or not, the Giants had a chance to make this game competitive. They had Matt Duffy, who represented the potential tying run, batting with one out and the bases loaded in the third inning. Duffy grounded into an inning-ending double play, and the rout was on.
Video: SF@LAD: Anderson induces double play to escape a jam
Isn't it Grand(al): Before the fireworks started for Grandal, he played a little small ball. In his first at-bat, with the Giants playing an exaggerated shift toward right field, Grandal laid a bunt down the third-base line. With no one there, Grandal made it to first without a throw. In his next two at-bats, the Giants reduced their shift slightly, but it didn't matter. Grandal hammered his ninth and 10th home runs of the season.
"I look up and they gave me the straight shift with the third baseman at the shortstop position," Grandal said. "It's just a regular bunt to get past the pitcher and it's a base hit." More >
Video: SF@LAD: Grandal beats the shift, picks up bunt single
Awkward advance: Justin Maxwell's futile attempt to stretch a fourth-inning double into a triple made no dIfference in the outcome. But it typified the Giants' all-around difficulties. With the Giants trailing, 6-1, Maxwell had no business trying to reach third base. Second baseman Howie Kendrick's wide relay might have enabled Maxwell to reach third safely, but he had begun to retreat, making him an easy out.
Video: SF@LAD: Dodgers nab Maxwell trying to go for three
QUOTABLE
" "As far back as I can remember, it's probably the best overall team win we've had in a while." -- Anderson.
"I don't know, we might be better on Mother's Day. Did we win on Mother's Day?" -- Bochy.
UNDER FURTHER REVIEW
The Giants challenged the ruling on the field that Petit was out at first base in the top of the third inning. Petit laid down a bunt and was ruled out at first for a double play, but the call was overturned after the review.
Video: SF@LAD: Petit safe at first after challenge in 3rd
WHAT'S NEXT
Giants: Following Monday's scheduled off-day, the Giants will begin a six-game homestand Tuesday with a 7:15 p.m. PT confrontation against San Diego. Giants ace Madison Bumgarner will open the series against Padres right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne, who's 2-0 with a 0.36 career ERA in four appearances against San Francisco.
Dodgers: The Dodgers embark on a 10-game road trip, starting with a four-game series in Chicago at Wrigley Field on Monday. Clayton Kershaw will take the mound for Los Angeles and is looking to strike out at least 10 hitters for the fourth straight game -- a feat he has never accomplished.
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