MIAMI (AP) - Dee Gordon was a headache for the Miami Marlins for 11 innings at the plate, on the bases and in the field. Carl Crawford came off the bench to make his impact with a single swing.
Crawford snapped a slump with a two-run pinch-hit homer in the 11th, and the Los Angeles Dodgers escaped several late-inning jams to beat the Miami Marlins 9-7 on Saturday night.
Gordon drove in two runs, scored twice, contributed a defensive gem at second base and stole three bases to increase his total to 19, most in the majors. He’s 8 for 11 in the series to hike his average to .357.
“He’s hitting .350, he’s stealing bags, he’s playing good defense,” manager Don Mattingly said. “You can’t really ask a whole lot more.”
Gordon became the first Dodgers player since at least 1914 to have five or more hits and three or more stolen bases in a game, according to STATS. The last major league player to do it was Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies in 2008.
“I’m just trying to help us win any way possible,” Gordon said.
Crawford echoed that sentiment. He was held out of the starting lineup because he was batting .185, and said the chance to circle the bases in the 11th was a “wonderful feeling.”
“When something like that happens, it uplifts you,” he said. “It’s a big lift for me, somebody looking for anything positive to get through the next day. To come through with a big hit like that and win the game, it’s definitely encouraging.”
Yasiel Puig hit a three-run homer for the Dodgers, who snapped Miami’s seven-game home winning streak.
The Marlins lost even though they tied a franchise record at Marlins Park with three home runs. They erased a 7-2 sixth-inning deficit but left the bases loaded in the eighth and ninth, and stranded a runner at third in the 10th.
“We get a hit in any of those situations, and it’s over,” manager Mike Redmond said.
Juan Uribe walked to start the 11th against Carlos Marmol (0-2), and with one out Crawford hit his first homer.
“Hopefully it’s something that springboards him,” Mattingly said. “That’s a big hit.”
Marmol said he made a mistake by throwing the pitch down the middle.
“He hit it far,” Marmol said. “I feel bad because the team played well.”
The squandered chances doomed the Marlins, however. They went 3 for 14 with runners in scoring position.
Paul Maholm allowed three runs in six innings, but the Dodgers endured some wobbly relief pitching.
With closer Kenley Jansen unavailable because of a heavy recent workload, Chris Perez took the mound in the ninth inning trying to protect a 7-6 lead. He loaded the bases and then walked pinch-hitter Jarrod Saltalamacchia on a 3-2 pitch with one out to force in the tying run.
Perez then retired Christian Yelich and Derek Dietrich to send the game into extra innings. The Marlins had runners at first and second with no outs in the 10th, but Brandon League (1-1) pitched out of the jam.
Chris Withrow loaded the bases in the eighth before striking out NL RBI leader Giancarlo Stanton on three pitches to end the threat.
“It was seesaw, but you see how the guys battled back,” Gordon said.
The Marlins’ Marcell Ozuna hit a three-run homer in the seventh off Brian Wilson, whose ERA rose to 12.91.
Jeff Baker, who came into the game 4 for 40 this season, and Jeff Mathis both hit their first home run for Miami. The power surge compensated for a poor outing by Jacob Turner, who was activated from the disabled list before the game. He gave up nine hits and six runs in four innings.
Notes: Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (strained back) threw a bullpen session before the game and is scheduled to come off the disabled list and start Tuesday at Washington. … The Marlins had a scare during batting practice when ace Jose Fernandez collided in the outfield with strength and conditioning coach Ty Hill and both tumbled to the turf. The right-handed Fernandez took a shot in his left shoulder but said he wasn’t hurt. … Fernandez will try to improve his career home record to 13-0 Sunday in the series finale. RHP Stephen Fife, who started 15 games for the Dodgers in 2012-13, will be recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque to start Sunday for LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder). RHP Jose Dominguez will be optioned to Albuquerque. … Dodgers coach Davey Lopes celebrated his 69th birthday.
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