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Nolasco tries to put Dodgers closer to division title vs. Giants

Sep 14, 2013 - 2:52 PM (Sports Network) - Still with a chance to clinch the NL West title this weekend, the Los Angeles Dodgers turn to streaking right-hander Ricky Nolasco on Saturday night. He faces off against the San Francisco Giants in the third contest of a four-game series.

Nolasco has gone 8-1 with a 2.07 earned run average in 12 starts since getting dealt to the Dodgers by the Miami Marlins. He has won four straight outings and seven consecutive decisions, including an 8-1 triumph over Arizona on Monday.

Nolasco yielded one unearned run on three hits and a walk in 6 2/3 innings. He also struck out six, giving him 28 over his last four starts.

The 30-year-old is 13-9 with a 3.14 ERRA in 30 total starts this year and faced the Giants while with the Marlins on June 21. He did not factor into the outcome after allowing three runs over 5 2/3 innings. Nolasco is 5-3 with a 2.09 ERA in nine lifetime starts versus the Giants.

The Dodgers were bested 4-2 by the Giants last night, but still saw their magic number to clinch their first NL West crown since 2009 lowered to four because of Arizona's loss to Colorado.

Juan Uribe hit a two-run homer for Los Angeles, but San Francisco rallied for three runs on the seventh and added an insurance run in the eighth. Brett Pill hit a two-run single in the seventh frame and Hunter Pence connected on a solo homer in the game.

Madison Bumgarner got the win after giving up two runs over six innings and Sergio Romo secured the Giants' fourth victory in six games with a four-out save.

"It got scary the last couple of innings but our pitchers picked us up," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "I'm happy for Bumgarner to get the win."

Clayton Kershaw struck out six and allowed three runs -- two earned -- on eight hits over seven frames for Los Angeles, which has dropped six of its last nine tilts.

The Dodgers lost to the Giants for just the second time in the past eight meetings.

"Clayton just had a rough inning," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said of his starter. "They have a good ballclub. They got guys on base and they took advantage."

The Dodgers did not have shortstop Hanley Ramirez in the lineup after he suffered nerve irritation in his back in Thursday's opener and outfielder Andre Ethier exited last night's contest after aggravating a sprained left ankle.

The Giants sent Tim Lincecum to the hill tonight and he is aiming for a fourth straight winning decision. The righty is 9-13 with a 4.40 ERA in 29 starts this season.

Lincecum captured three straight outings ahead of a no-decision versus Colorado on Monday. He gave up two runs on seven hits over eight innings as his club won 3-2 in extra innings.

The 29-year-old has split two meetings with the Dodgers this year, giving up four earned runs over 10 1/3 frames, and is 8-6 against them lifetime with a 2.86 ERA.