Giants 4 - 3 Dodgers
Final
  for this game

Dodgers try to bounce back against Giants

Sep 15, 2013 - 1:37 PM (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Dodgers were hoping to wrap up the NL West division this weekend, but instead they'll be trying to shake off an embarrassing loss and earn a split in their four-game series with the San Francisco Giants on Sunday afternoon.

The Dodgers have lost back-to-back games to the Giants to keep their magic number for clinching the division at four. Following a modest two-run defeat on Friday, Los Angeles was routed 19-3 at home last night.

The Giants erupted for 22 hits and produced the most runs by an opponent in the 51-year history of Dodgers Stadium.

Hunter Pence, who drove in six runs in a loss on Tuesday, connected on a grand slam and had seven RBI, while Brandon Belt also homered and set personal bests with five hits and six runs driven in.

"It was a special night. We played well in all aspects," Pence said. "Tonight was the product of a lot of guys doing well."

Tim Lincecum benefited from the outburst and picked up the win after surrendering three runs on five hits across six innings of work, helping the Giants win for the fifth time in seven games.

Adrian Gonzalez drove in a run in both the first and fifth innings for the Dodgers and Alex Castellanos smacked a pinch-hit solo homer in the fifth.

Ricky Nolasco, who had won his previous seven decisions, was roughed up to the tune of seven runs -- five earned -- and was pulled with just one out in the second inning.

"As good as Ricky has pitched, he had one bad outing. I can't be too concerned about him," Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly said.

The Dodgers have lost seven of their past 10 overall and suffered just their third setback in the past nine versus the Giants.

Los Angeles is playing without shortstop Hanley Ramirez (back) and outfielder Andre Ethier (left ankle), while outfielders Carl Crawford and Yasiel Puig are also banged up. Ramirez and Ethier won't play in tonight's game.

Edinson Volquez will try to slow down the Giants as he makes his third start in a Dodgers uniform.

Volquez was 9-10 with a 6.01 earned run average in 27 starts before getting released by San Diego. He is 0-1 with a 5.73 ERA in three games since joining Los Angeles.

The 30-year-old righty gave up four runs over four innings in his first start with L.A. on Sept. 4, but was better in a no-decision versus Arizona on Tuesday. Volquez allowed three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five in six innings.

Volquez was drilled for eight runs over five innings when he last faced the Giants on July 13 in San Diego. He is 2-2 with a 6.07 ERA in nine career meetings.

Getting the call today for the Giants is 36-year-old Ryan Vogelsong, who has logged a 2.93 ERA in five starts since being sidelined since May 20 due to a fractured hand.

However, Vogelsong has given up nine runs over 9 2/3 innings in two starts this month, taking a loss to the Diamondbacks ahead of a no-decision versus Colorado on Tuesday. The righty allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings.

Vogelsong yielded seven runs over 4 2/3 innings of a no-decision versus the Dodgers on May 4. That came after he went 2-1 in four starts versus them last year while giving up just two earned runs over 25 1/3 innings.






Related News