Carl Crawford Hits 2-Run HR To Help Dodgers Beat Marlins 9-7
MIAMI (AP) -- Pinch-hitter Carl Crawford hit a two-run homer in the 11th inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers escaped several late-inning jams to beat the Miami Marlins 9-7 on Saturday night.
The Marlins lost even though they tied a franchise record at Marlins Park with three home runs. They erased a 7-2 sixth-inning deficit but left the bases loaded in the eighth and ninth, and left two on in the 10th.
Yasiel Puig hit a three-run homer and Dee Gordon had a career-high five hits for the Dodgers.
Gordon drove in two runs, scored twice and stole three bases to increase his total to 19, most in the majors. He's 8 for 11 in the series to hike his average to .357.
Juan Uribe walked to start the 11th against Carlos Marmol (0-2), and with one out Crawford hit his first homer. Manager Don Mattingly held Crawford out of the starting lineup because he was hitting .185.
Miami went 3 for 14 with runners in scoring position.
Paul Maholm allowed three runs in six innings, but the Dodgers endured some wobbly relief pitching.
With closer Kenley Jansen struggling, Chris Perez took the mound in the ninth inning trying to protect a 7-6 lead. He loaded the bases and then walked pinch-hitter Jarrod Saltalamacchia on a 3-2 pitch with one out to force in the tying run.
Perez then retired Christian Yelich and Derek Dietrich to send the game into extra innings. The Marlins had runners at first and second with no outs in the 10th, but Brandon League (1-1) pitched out of the jam.
Chris Withrow loaded the bases in the eighth before striking out NL RBI leader Giancarlo Stanton on three pitches to end the threat.
The Marlins' Marcell Ozuna hit a three-run homer in the seventh off Brian Wilson, whose ERA rose to 12.91.
Jeff Baker, who came into the game 4 for 40 this season, and Jeff Mathis both hit their first home run for Miami. The power surge compensated for a poor outing by Jacob Turner, who was activated from the disabled list before the game.
Turner gave up nine hits and six runs in four innings.
The Dodgers scored their first seven runs with two outs. Six came against Turner, back in the rotation after missing a month because of a strained pitching shoulder.
Puig's fourth homer capped a four-run fourth inning to put Los Angeles ahead 6-2. When he connected, he flipped his bat away and began to jog, not bothering to track the majestic flight of the ball.
It landed near the home-run sculpture, which remains dormant for visitors. The hit drew a roar from Puig's fellow Cubans, who made up a sizeable part of the crowd of 24,104.
Uribe and Hanley Ramirez had two-out run-scoring singles for the Dodgers.
Miami's Casey McGehee hit a two-out RBI double in the third. But Gordon alertly threw him out taking too big of a turn at third after Ozuna's infield hit.
Marlins right-hander Carter Capps threw two scoreless innings and drew a cheer when his fastball was clocked at 101 mph.
Notes: Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (strained back) threw a bullpen session before the game and is scheduled to come off the disabled list and start Tuesday at Washington. ... The Marlins had a scare during batting practice when ace Jose Fernandez collided in the outfield with strength and conditioning coach Ty Hill and both tumbled to the turf. The right-handed Fernandez took a shot in his left shoulder but said he wasn't hurt. ... Fernandez tries to improve his career home record to 13-0 Sunday in the series finale. The Dodgers hadn't announced their starter. ... Dodgers coach Davey Lopes celebrated his 69th birthday.
