Dodgers Beat Giants 3-1, Move Closer to Playoff Spot
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Justin Turner hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the fifth inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers moved to the brink of securing baseball's final playoff berth by beating the San Francisco Giants 3-1 on Friday night.
The Dodgers remained one game behind NL West-leading Colorado. They also extended their lead to two games over St. Louis for the second NL wild-card spot with two left to play.
Los Angeles, which has won the last five division crowns, will go to lefty ace Clayton Kershaw on Saturday.
Hyun-Jin Ryu (7-3) allowed one run on four hits over six innings to win his third straight start. He gave up Nick Hundley's leadoff homer in the second but the defense then backed its pitchers by turning five double plays — including one to end the game.
Kenley Jansen, the fifth Dodgers reliever, finished for his 38th save.
Turner's homer off lefty Madison Bumgarner (6-7) broke a 1-all tie.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts went with a right-handed lineup against the 2014 World Series MVP that 103 home runs on the bench to begin the night — no Max Muncy and his 33 clouts, nor Joc Pederson (24), Cody Bellinger (24) or Yasiel Puig (22).
MadBum asked to push back his scheduled Wednesday start against San Diego to pitch a game in the final weekend that mattered against the contending Dodgers. He gave up three runs on seven hits in six innings, struck out six and walked one.
Turner followed Enrique Hernandez's third single of the night with a drive into the seats in left-center. Manny Machado hit a tying RBI single in the third.
PACKING
With the uncertainty of the playoff scenarios, the Dodgers aren't sure where they will go after Sunday's regular-season finale. Roberts packed for six days when he left Los Angeles this week, for the hot weather of Phoenix to the cool fall temperatures in San Francisco and Denver.
"Everyone did it different," Roberts said. "My suitcase was regular standard. Some guys might have gone a little bit lighter, some might have packed for two weeks."
WILLIE MAC AWARD
Giants lefty reliever Will Smith won the Willie Mac Award, named for the Hall of Famer and is voted on by the players, coaches and training staff to recognize the team's most inspirational player both on the field and in the clubhouse. Smith came back this season after missing a year following Tommy John surgery.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: RHP Ross Stripling, who has struggled since coming off his second stint on the disabled list with a lower back injury and lost his last three starts, could be available in relief Sunday. Roberts didn't expect to use him the first two games of the series out of the bullpen.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: Kershaw (9-5, 2.53 ERA) has yet to beat the Giants this season in three previous starts. He is 6-1 with a 2.34 ERA in 12 second-half starts.
Giants: Rookie Dereck Rodriguez (6-4, 2.50) faces the Dodgers for the first time. He has pitched well but San Francisco has lost his last six outings and eight of 10.
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