Puig, Dodgers demolish Giants
LOS ANGELES -- Yasiel Puig smacked a three-run home run in the first inning to spark an early surge, and the Los Angeles Dodgers pounded the San Francisco Giants 9-3 Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.
Howie Kendrick went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs for the Dodgers, who took two of three in the series. Corey Seager also went 2-for-4 to finish the series 6-for-12.
First-place Los Angeles (86-66) pushed its lead over second-place San Francisco (80-72) to six games in the National League West. The Dodgers' magic number to win the division dropped to five.
The Giants, New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals all lost Wednesday, leaving them in a three-way tie for the two NL wild-card spots.
The Dodgers jumped all over Giants starter Matt Moore, who threw a no-hitter for 8 2/3 innings in his last trip here on Aug. 25. Moore (4-5) was charged with seven runs (six earned) on seven hits with a walk and no strikeouts in one-plus innings.
Kenta Maeda worked five innings for the Dodgers, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with six strikeouts and two walks. Maeda (16-9) has beaten the Giants in all three of his starts against them this season.
Denard Span walked on four pitches to open the game and advanced to second on a passed ball by catcher Carlos Ruiz. Span scored on an RBI single to right by Angel Pagan to give the Giants a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the inning, Puig's three-run blast, his 11th home run this year, highlighted a five-run rally. Adrian Gonzalez and Maeda also had RBI singles in the inning as Los Angeles sent nine batters to the plate.
Ehire Adrianza hit a solo shot -- his second long ball this season -- to left with two outs in the second to cut the Dodgers' edge to 5-2.
Justin Turner's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning gave Los Angeles a four-run cushion again.
A two-run double in the third by Howie Kendrick and a run-scoring two-bagger by Andrew Toles in the fifth made it 9-2.
NOTES: An MRI confirmed Giants All-Star RHP Johnny Cueto sustained a Grade 1 left groin strain that forced him out of San Francisco's 2-0 win on Tuesday. Manager Bruce Bochy said Cueto is questionable for his next start. ... Giants INF Ehire Adrianza started for injured SS Brandon Crawford, who dislocated his left pinky Tuesday. Crawford is day-to-day. ... Both clubs resume play Thursday and begin four-game sets. Giants RHP Jeff Samardzija (11-10, 3.97 ERA) will face Padres LHP Christian Friedrich (5-10, 4.78) in San Diego. Dodgers LHP Brett Anderson (0-2, 24.75 ERA) will make his first start in more than a month after a stint on the disabled list with a blister on his left index finger. He will oppose Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (11-9, 4.13) at Dodger Stadium. ... Lakers first-round pick Brandon Ingram threw out the ceremonial first pitch.