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Puig triples three times, leads Dodgers past Giants

Jul 26, 2014 - 7:25 AM San Francisco, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Yasiel Puig tripled three times in a historic night at the plate in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 8-1 rout of the San Francisco Giants.

Puig hit three triples and a double in his first four plate appearances, becoming the first major leaguer to do so in a game since Cincinnati's Herm Winningham in 1990.

Puig finished 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. His three triples are the most in franchise history since Jimmy Sheckard's three in 1901.

"When he's waiting on the ball and shooting the ball into right-center is when he's at his best," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "He stung the ball really well tonight. Looked patient at the plate, looked calm and quiet. It was a good night for him."

Dee Gordon and Matt Kemp also tripled and finished with three hits apiece to help the Dodgers pick up a crucial game on the NL West-leading Giants. The win pulls Los Angeles within a half-game of San Francisco.

LA's bats overshadowed a dominant performance by Zack Greinke (12-6), who struck out 10 in seven scoreless innings of work. Greinke improved to 3-0 against the Giants this season.

Gordon, Puig and Kemp all tripled during a five-run fifth inning that chased Giants starter Tim Lincecum (9-7) from the contest. Greinke singled to start the rally and scored on Gordon's triple to center. Puig followed with his second triple of the game and Adrian Gonzalez scored him with a single to right.

Hanley Ramirez then singled to put two on and with two outs against Juan Gutierrez, Kemp drove in both with his three-bagger.

Lincecum was roughed up for six runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings.

"I got away from my plan. I didn't throw as many breaking balls and sliders as I wanted to," Lincecum said. "Those have been the equalizer for me, keeping guys honest."

Los Angeles led 6-0 at that point and rolled from there, tacking on another run in the sixth on Puig's third triple and one in the eighth when Ramirez drove in Andre Ethier with a base knock to left.

Gonzalez started the scoring in the first inning, plating Puig with a single to right.

The Giants went scoreless over the first eight innings, only avoiding the shutout on Tyler Colvin's bases-loaded single with two outs in the ninth against Paul Maholm.

Game Notes

Gordon became the first Dodger to hit at least 10 triples in a season since Kenny Lofton had 12 in 2006. Puig currently has eight ... Puig improved to 8- for-13 lifetime against Lincecum ... Puig and Ramirez both returned from missing four and three starts, respectively, after getting hit in the hand with pitches earlier in the week ... Greinke has 26 strikeouts in 20 innings against San Francisco this year ... The Giants lead the season series, 7-4 ... Prior to the game, the Giants selected the contract of second baseman Dan Uggla and infielder Tony Abreu from Triple-A Fresno, placed infielders Ehire Adrianza and Marco Scutaro on the 15-day DL and designated pitcher Jose De Paula and infielder Nick Noonan for assignment. Uggla went 0-for-2 in his San Francisco debut.