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Herrera lifts Dodgers over Phillies

Jun 5, 2012 - 5:14 AM Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Elian Herrera's RBI single in the ninth inning lifted the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-3, in the opener of a four-game series.

With the game tied at three, Jonathan Papelbon (0-2) took over on the mound for the Phillies in the top of the ninth. Dee Gordon welcomed him with a triple to right-center field. Herrera knocked in the go-ahead run with a single to left.

"I caught too much of the plate," remarked Papelbon. "I have to be able to execute my pitches better than that."

Los Angeles starter Clayton Kershaw gave up three runs on eight hits over seven innings. Ronald Belisario (1-0) tossed a scoreless inning of relief to pick up his first win of the year. Kenley Jansen retired the side in order in the ninth for his seventh save of the season.

Gordon, Juan Rivera and Bobby Abreu had an RBI apiece for the Dodgers, who had lost six of seven.

"It was a good win for us," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "We've been in a bit of a struggle. To be able to come here and jump out early, and those guys get right back in it. To be able to hang in there until the end was a great sign."

Placido Polanco hit a two-run homer for the Phillies, who have lost three in a row. Freddy Galvis went 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored.

Philadelphia starter Vance Worley, fresh off the 15-day disabled list, allowed three runs on five hits over four full frames.

The Dodgers put two runs on the board in the first. Worley struggled with his command, giving up consecutive walks to Herrera and Andre Ethier. Rivera and Abreu followed with back-to-back RBI singles. A passed ball put runners on second and third with two outs, but Worley got Jerry Hairston Jr. to ground out to keep it a 2-0 game.

Los Angeles tacked on another run in the second. Adam Kennedy doubled down the left-field line, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and crossed the plate on Gordon's infield single.

The Phillies were able to erase their three-run deficit in the third. John Mayberry led off with a double off the top of the wall in left and scored on Galvis' single. With two outs, Polanco hit a two-run homer to left to make it a 3-3 contest.

Philadelphia loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, but Hunter Pence grounded out.

The Dodgers failed to score with the bases loaded in the eighth. Third baseman Polanco's fielding error allowed pinch-hitter Ivan De Jesus to reach base, filling the bases with two outs. Pinch-hitter James Loney grounded out to end the threat.

Game Notes

The Phillies are 9-4 versus the Dodgers since the start of the 2010 season... Dodgers manager Don Mattingly was ejected by home plate umpire D.J. Reyburn in the sixth. Dodgers bench coach Trey Hillman was ejected by Reyburn in the seventh...Kershaw has never beaten the Phillies, going 0-4 in seven meetings...Worley made his first start since May 11 because of right elbow inflammation. To make room for Worley, the Phillies optioned catcher Erik Kratz to Triple-A Lehigh Valley...Los Angeles reinstated Rivera from the 15- day disabled list and placed reliever Javy Guerra on the DL Monday. In addition, the Dodgers selected the contract of reliever Shawn Tolleson from Triple-A Albuquerque, optioned outfielder Scott Van Slyke to Albuquerque and transferred pitcher Matt Guerrier to the 60-day disabled list.