Los Angeles

Hernandez and Pederson Homer in Fifth, But Marlins Avoid Sweep 5-4

Los Angeles rookies Enrique Hernandez and Joc Pederson both homered in the fifth inning, but the Marlins rallied to beat the Dodgers 5-4 and avoid the three-game sweep.

Young sluggers Enrique Hernandez and Joc Pederson both hit homers in the fifth inning, but Miami rallied off the Dodgers bullpen defeating Los Angeles 5-4 to avoid the three-game sweep.

Dee Gordon went 4-for-5 against his former team and Giancarlo Stanton hit a go-ahead two-run single off Former Marlins' pitcher Chris Hatcher that capped off a three-run seventh inning.

"He was hitting mistakes over the plate," said Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal of Gordon. "First two games we made really good pitches against him, but today he capitalized off of every mistake."

Heading into the seventh inning trailing 4-2, the Marlins scored three-runs off three different Dodgers pitchers by hitting five consecutive singles.

After Carlos Frias allowed a leadoff single, he was lifted for Adam Liberatore who gave up a bunt single to Ichiro Suzuki. Five pitches later Gordon singled to right and Hatcher came in from the bullpen with the bases-loaded and no outs.

Hatcher couldn't escape the jam surrendering back-to-back singles to Martin Prado and Stanton who now leads Adrian Gonzalez in the RBI race with 36.

Gonzalez went 0-for-4 on the night and his hitting streak was snapped at 11.

Hernandez hit a two-run blast to left field for his first homer of the season and first as a Dodger. Three pitches later, Pederson followed with a solo shot to right center that landed half way into the pavilion.

"I played with Coasrt with the Astros and the Marlins so I know his tendencies," Hernandez said. "He made a mistake and I took advantage of it."

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After back-to-back blown saves, the Marlins inserted right-hander A.J. Ramos into the closer role and he pitched a perfect ninth for his first career save.

"It was a good feeling," said Ramos whose parents watched him from the stands. "I definitely had to hold the reins back. If not, I would have been wild. So I was easy as possible and able to get the job done."

Frias made his third start of the season going six strong innings allowing three runs on six hits before being lifted in the seventh inning.

"Everything went pretty good," said Frias. "I was able to compete. I was struggling with my command, but I came back the next couple innings and was able to compete."

Jarred Cosart left the game in the sixth inning with a tight right hamstring. Cosart allowed four runs on five hits in 5.1 innings before leaving the game with the injury.

"I felt like something was grabbing me," Cosart said. "I've never had an issue before, so it's new to me."

Don Mattingly was ejected from the game in the fourth inning for throwing his hat in the dugout after a replay review was upheld on a diving catch in right by Stanton.

"I shouldn't talk about it, I really shouldn't. I've expressed my opinion," said Mattingly right before he began to talk about it. "I don't know why we can't take the human element out of it and just make the simple call: safe or out."

It was the 17th time Mattingly has been tossed in his managerial career and the second time this season.

The Marlins end their 10-game road trip on a high note and potentially with a new closer in Ramos. The Marlins snapped their three-game losing streak while simultaneously snapping Los Angeles' five-game winning streak.

"That was huge for us," Stanton said after the game. "One, not to get swept, and two, to come back. It's definitely one we needed going into the off day and to end this ugly road trip."

Despite the loss, the Dodgers clinched their 10th consecutive series win at home dating back to last season.

Game Notes:
The Dodgers two home runs today give them a league-leading 53 on the season which is second all-time in franchise history through 33 games (2000).

Dodgers closer since 2012, Kenley Jansen made his sixth rehab appearance tonight striking out two batters in a scoreless inning in Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. He could be reinstated from the DL as soon as Saturday.
 

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