Pollock, Betts launch 3-run homers, Dodgers beat Giants 6-2
Pollock #Pollock
© Provided by Associated Press Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — AJ Pollock and Mookie Betts each hit a three-run homer, rallying the Los Angeles Dodgers past the San Francisco Giants 6-2 on Sunday.
The Dodgers have won nine of 12, and took two out of three from their NL West rivals. Their 29 homers lead the majors.
With the Dodgers trailing 2-0, Cody Bellinger singled off Giants starter Kevin Gausman with one out and Justin Turner followed with a single off submariner Tyler Rogers (3-3) in the seventh. Max Muncy took a called third strike, but Pollock sent a 3-2 pitch to left-center for his fourth homer and a 3-2 lead.
© Provided by Associated Press Los Angeles Dodgers’ A.J. Pollock, left, hits a three-run home run as San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tyler Rogers, right, watches along with catcher Tyler Heineman, second from right, and home plate umpire Adam Hamari during the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
In the eighth, Will Smith drew a leadoff walk and Kiké Hernández followed with a double off Caleb Baragar. They scored on Betts’ shot to left-center after he was hitless in his first three at-bats, making it 6-2.
The Dodgers had seven hits a day after getting two in a 5-4 loss.
Jake McGee (1-0) got the victory with one strikeout in one inning.
© Provided by Associated Press San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Kevin Gausman throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mike Yastrzemski snapped a scoreless tie with a two-run single in the fifth, giving the Giants a 2-0 lead.
Yastrzemski had one of two hits for the Giants, who put just two runners on base via walks through the first four innings against Walker Buehler.
In the fifth, Pablo Sandoval walked and Buehler hit Austin Slater with a pitch, putting two Giants runners on base in the same inning for the first time. They moved up on Buehler’s wild pitch.
After Tyler Heineman struck out, Yastrzemski stroked a two-strike single to center, scoring Sandoval and Slater.
© Provided by Associated Press Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Kiké Hernández makes a catch on a ball hit by San Francisco Giants’ Mike Yastrzemski during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Buehler gave up two runs and one hit in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out six and walked four, but was inconsistent in his third start of the season. The right-hander issued a four-pitch walk to Yastrzemski to open the game and was wild, high and outside, until settling down. Buehler retired the side in the second and fourth before the Giants struck in the fifth.
© Provided by Associated Press San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tyler Rogers throws to the plate during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Francisco’s Donovan Solano, the leading hitter in the majors, extended his career-best hitting streak to 14 games with a single in the eighth.
Gausman allowed one run and three hits in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out six and walked none.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Giants: RHP Jordan Humphreys was placed on the restricted list for family reasons. … LHP Jarlin Garcia was reinstated from the 60-day IL.
Dodgers: SS Corey Seager, who left Friday’s game with lower back discomfort, is not being considered for the injured list. Instead, the team wants to give him a few days and reassess how he feels.
GIANTS MOVES
San Francisco acquired OF Luis Basabe from the Chicago White Sox for cash. Basabe hit .248 with 104 doubles, 40 triples, 44 homers, 257 RBIs and 116 stolen bases in 598 career minor league games with the Red Sox and White Sox organizations. He will report to the alternate training site in Sacramento. RHP Trevor Cahil was added to the taxi squad. LHP Andrew Suarez was optioned to Sacramento and added to the taxi squad. INF Abiatal Avelino was designated for assignment.
UP NEXT
Giants: RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (1-1, 9.22 ERA) starts Monday’s opener of a three-game set at Houston.
Dodgers: RHP Dustin May (1-0, 2.63) starts Monday in the opener of a four-game home series against San Diego.
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