Reds 10, Dodgers 3
LOS ANGELES -- Shortstop Eugenio Suarez and center fielder Billy Hamilton homered and second baseman Brandon Phillips drove in three runs as the Cincinnati Reds pounded the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-3 before 47,216 at Dodger Stadium on Thursday night.
Suarez, who went 3-for-5 and drove in four runs, hit a three-run blast to spark a four-run surge in the sixth inning that blew the game open. Hamilton, who recorded a career-high four hits, went deep in the eighth to help Cincinnati (51-62) capture only its third win in nine games.
Cincinnati rookie right-hander Keyvius Sampson (2-1) allowed two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and three walks in five innings.
Center fielder Joc Pederson homered and had two RBIs for the National League West-leading Dodgers (64-51), who fell for the fifth time in seven games. Their lead in the division dropped to 2 1/2 games over the San Francisco Giants, who beat the Washington Nationals 3-1.
Dodgers starter Mat Latos was knocked around by his former mates. Latos (4-9), who the Reds traded to the Miami Marlins during the offseason before Dodgers acquired him in a trade last month, surrendered five runs (four earned) on seven hits with seven strikeouts and an intentional walk in 4 2/3 innings.
Hamilton's RBI single in the third gave the Reds a 1-0 lead.
Hamilton advanced to third on an errant pickoff throw by Latos that bounced into shallow right field, allowing the speedy center fielder to reach third. Hamilton, who batted ninth, scored on Phillips' run-scoring single for a 2-0 Cincinnati advantage with two outs in the inning.
A sacrifice fly by Reds left fielder Marlon Byrd in the fourth made it 3-0.
Pederson's homer, his 22nd of the season, to left with two outs in the bottom of the inning pulled Los Angeles within 3-1.
However, Cincinnati added two runs in the fifth on RBI doubles by Phillips and Suarez for a 5-1 cushion.
Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning cut the gap to 5-2.
NOTES: Dodgers RHP Zack Greinke's major league-leading ERA dropped from 1.65 to 1.59 because of a scoring change in Los Angeles' Aug. 6 game at Philadelphia. Phillies SS Cesar Hernandez originally was credited with a bunt hit before advancing to second on a throwing error by Greinke. The play since has been ruled a two-base error. ... Dodgers 3B Justin Turner was activated from the 15-day disabled list. To make room, Los Angeles optioned INF Jose Peraza to Triple-A Oklahoma City. ... The Reds will call up LHP John Lamb from Triple-A Louisville to make his major league debut Friday against the Dodgers. Lamb, 25, was acquired last month in a deal that sent RHP Johnny Cueto to the Kansas City Royals. Lamb will face Dodgers LHP Alex Wood (7-7, 3.72 ERA).