LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Dodgers have become so accustomed to winning this season, they are almost stunned when they do not rally to pull out a game.
But after losing the series opener to the San Diego Padres, the Dodgers were not about to go quietly Saturday after falling behind 3-1 in the sixth.
This time it was Corey Seager coming up with the big hit, his bases-loaded single leading to three runs in the Dodgers’ 6-3 victory.
“It’s just what we do,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “Just continually to get guys on base and get that big hit.”
With their 27th win in 32 games, the Dodgers improved the best record in the major leagues to 82-34, on pace for 115 wins. Los Angeles is 17-3 on Saturdays.
Trailing 3-1 in the sixth, the Dodgers loaded the bases when Chase Utley doubled between walks to Yamani Grandal and Yasiel Puig from Craig Stammen (0-2). Seager followed with a tying single to right as Puig took third, and when Seager overran first and got caught in a rundown, Puig broke for home and with a headfirst slide beat the throw from first baseman Wil Myers.
“It was the right play,” Myers said. “I saw Puig out of the corner of my eye but I pulled the throw a little. I rushed it.”
Cody Bellinger homered in the seventh off Carter Capps and with 34 home runs is one shy of Mike Piazza’s team rookie record. Chris Taylor went deep against Phil Maton in the eighth.
Tony Watson (6-4) pitched a perfect sixth inning for his first win since the Dodgers acquired from from Pittsburgh at the July 31 trade deadline. Kenley Jansen allowed a pair of singles starting the ninth, then retired three in a row, including the last two on strikeouts, for his 31st save in 32 chances.
The Padres built their lead on Hunter Renfroe’s RBI double in the third, right-hander Jhoulys Chacin’s run-scoring single in the fourth and Myers’ homer in the fifth.
“I was lucky,” Chacin said. “I just didn’t want to strike out.”
LASORDA FRACTURE
Ex-Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda broke his right wrist after a fall.
Lasorda, who turns 90 next month, showed up to Dodger Stadium on Friday wearing a blue cast.
Lasorda spent time in the hospital in May to have his pacemaker replaced. He has a history of heart problems.
He guided the Dodgers to two World Series titles and currently serves as a special advisor to the chairman.
UTLEY EJECTED
In an odd and confusing occurrence, Utley was ejected in the ninth by second base umpire Ramon De Jesus. Initially, no one but Utley and the umpire knew what was happening.
“I had no idea,” said Taylor. “At first I thought they’d call a balk.”
Utley said he asked De Jesus to reposition himself and he refused.
“Over the course of my career, it’s happened a few times where I get blocked out by the umpire and it turns out to be a tough play,” Utley said. “I wanted to try and avoid that. Most umpires oblige.”
When De Jesus would not move, things apparently became a tad more heated.
“We really didn’t see eye to eye after that,” Utley said.
SERIES WINNERS
The Padres get a second chance to try and become the first team to win a series from the Dodgers in over two months. The Dodgers haven’t lost a series since June 5-7 to the Nationals, going 15-0-3.
“You always want to win the series, but I don’t think we’re thinking about a streak,” Taylor said.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Padres: Manager Andy Green said C Hector Sanchez (concussion), who has not played since pinch hitting Sunday, is available. … RHP Miguel Diaz (right forearm strain) is scheduled to throw a 40-pitch bullpen session next week and expected to be activated later this month.
Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw (lower back soreness) is scheduled to throw a second bullpen session Sunday. … LHP Rich Hill said he was fine after getting hit in the throat by Clayton Richard’s fastball attempting to bunt Friday. … RHP Chris Hatcher (chest inflammation) is to be activated Sunday. … 1B Adrian Gonzalez (herniated disk) is expected to be activated on the next trip.
UP NEXT
Padres: RHP Luis Perdomo (6-6, 4.81 ERA) is scheduled to make his first start against the Dodgers on Sunday. He is 1-3 with an 8.63 ERA against the Dodgers in three starts and three relief appearances. He has induced 22 ground-ball double plays this season, tied with Texas’ Martin Perez for third most in baseball.
Dodgers: RHP Kenta Maeda (10-4, 3.69) is 6-1 with a 2.11 ERA in his last eight starts, but only 2-3 with a 4.29 ERA in seven starts against San Diego.
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