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Dodgers Bullpen Blows Another Late Lead as Giants Rally for 4 Runs in 9th

Pinch-hitter Nick Hundley hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to give the Giants their first lead, and San Francisco rallied for a 5-2 victory on Monday night, handing the Los Angeles Dodgers' bullpen its fourth consecutive loss.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking for a closer. 

Pinch-hitter Nick Hundley hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to give the Giants their first lead, and San Francisco rallied for a 5-2 victory on Monday night, handing the Los Angeles Dodgers' bullpen its fourth consecutive loss.

"They're in uncharted territory," said Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts of the bullpen as they try and find a reliable closer to fill in for injured All-Star Kenley Jansen. "Unfortunately, we didn't get it done tonight."

This time, the Dodgers wasted a masterful start by Clayton Kershaw, who held the Giants to one run on eight hits, all singles.

"He deserved to win," said Roberts after the frustrating loss. "He was fun to watch and compete. I can't say enough about what Clayton did for us tonight."

Hundley's two-out single put San Francisco ahead 3-2. Gorkys Hernandez singled in another run, and the Giants scored one more on a fielding error by Max Muncy.

Hundley's single came as no surprise to San Francisco fans as the pinch-hitter has been reliable off the bench this season batting .417 with one home run and six RBI in pinch-hit appearances. 

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All the runs came against Scott Alexander (2-1), the Dodgers' latest to struggle in the absence of closer Kenley Jansen.

"We were a strike away, we just couldn't finish it off," Roberts said of Alexander. "Right now the results haven't been there. We're all frustrated, but none more than Scott Alexander."

Ray Black (2-1) pitched a scoreless eighth, and Will Smith worked the ninth to earn his ninth save in 11 opportunities.

Kershaw struck out nine and did not walk a batter, lowering his ERA against the Giants to 1.58 in 43 career starts.

Kershaw's eight innings were the most he's pitched in a single game this season, and the deepest he's gone into a game since September 24, 2017 also against San Francisco. 

Kershaw drove in the game's first run with a bloop double in the fourth. After Austin Barnes singled with two outs, Kershaw looped his hit just fair down the right-field foul line.

"I got fortunate and blooped a ball in," said Kershaw. "I was just going to keep running, I thought they were both down. Thankfully, they're both okay, but at that time it looked like I should just keep running."

Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford and left fielder Hernandez collided on the attempted catch of Kershaw's flyball, both crashing to the ground. Crawford, who appeared to take a knee to the head, recovered to throw Kershaw out as he tried to take third. Crawford batted in the top of the next inning and then exited the game.

The Dodgers took a 2-0 lead against Madison Bumganer in the fifth on Justin Turner's seventh home run of the season. It gave Turner an eight-game hitting streak.

Turner finished the game 2-for-4 for his 16th multi-hit game of the season, and is batting .433 with five runs, three doubles, one triple, one home run, and two RBI in those last eight games.

San Francisco got a run in the sixth when Steven Duggar and Bumgarner led off with singles and Duggar scored on a fielder's choice by Andrew McCutchen.

Bumgarner went six innings, allowing the two runs on seven hits and two walks.

It was the 11th time Kershaw and Bumgarner have faced each other, the most of any two active pitchers.

"You know how competitive he is, and how good he is," Kershaw said of facing Bumgarner. "I think more than anything tonight, the situation we're in with the pennant race. There's a little more intensity in the game when it means a little more."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Giants: 1B Brandon Belt (hyper extended right knee) made a second rehab start Monday, but it was uncertain whether he would rejoin the Giants in Los Angeles on Tuesday. "We will see how it goes and if we think he needs another game or two," Manager Bruce Bochy said. ... RHP Jeff Samardzija (right shoulder inflammation) threw a simulated game Monday. Bochy said he threw about 30 pitches. "He was throwing free and easy," Bochy said. "Threw some good sliders — breaking balls, he threw everything."

Dodgers: Reinstated right-handed reliever Erik Goeddel from the disabled list and optioned switch-handed pitcher Pat Venditte to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Goeddel has been out since Aug. 2 with right lat inflammation. In 30 games with Seattle and Los Angeles, he is 3-0 with a 3.06 ERA.

UP NEXT

Giants: LHP Andrew Suarez (4-8, 4.64 ERA) is scheduled to start Tuesday. The rookie will attempt to overcome a recent downturn that has seen him go 1-3 with a 7.43 ERA in his last five starts.

Dodgers: LHP Alex Wood (7-6, 3.58) is scheduled to come off the disabled list and make his first start since leaving his Aug. 3 outing with a sore hip. Wood missed only one start.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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