LaMonte Wade Jr. hit a two-run single to cap a four-run ninth inning as the San Francisco Giants rallied for a 5-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday to take a four-game series between the top two teams in the National League.
It was the second consecutive game the Giants pulled off a ninth-inning rally against Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen after scoring three runs in the final frame Wednesday.
Jansen (1-4) gave up four runs on four hits in two-thirds of an inning Thursday, with two walks and two strikeouts while throwing 33 pitches. It was his third consecutive blown save overall.
Trailing 3-1 in the ninth inning, the Giants loaded the bases against Jansen with a single from Wilmer Flores and a double from Donovan Solano, before Jason Vosler walked. Thairo Estrada hit a potential game-ending ground ball to shortstop, but Vosler beat the short throw to second base to pull San Francisco to within a run at 3-2.
The Giants tied the game 3-all on a walk to Darin Ruf after first-base umpire Ed Hickox ruled that Ruf checked his swing on a full-count pitch. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was ejected arguing the call.
Wade then hit his two-run single in front of Dodgers right fielder Billy McKinney, who was making his debut with the club after he was acquired in a trade Wednesday from the New York Mets.
Dodgers starter Walker Buehler was left with nothing to show for a solid outing when he gave up one run on five hits over 7 1/3 innings with one walk and nine strikeouts. Will Smith hit a two-run home run for the Dodgers, his third in five games and 13th on the season.
The Giants won three of the four games in the series to open a three-game lead on the second-place Dodgers. San Francisco trails the season series 7-6, but is 6-4 at Dodger Stadium.
Giants starter Anthony DeSclafani gave up three runs over six innings. Left-hander Jose Alvarez (4-1) went 1 1/3 innings to pick up the victory, while lefty Jake McGee pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his 20th save.
Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts did not start for the fifth consecutive game because of a right hip injury.
–Field Level Media