The Los Angeles Dodgers continued their red-hot play of late with a comeback 8-6 win over the Atlanta Braves in the opener of a three-game series at Turner Field on Friday night. The Dodgers were down 5-0 at one point, but methodically clawed back, then scored five runs in the seventh inning to take the lead for good, capped by a three-run double by James Loney.
The Dodgers have won five straight games and 10 of their last 11 contests, not to mention the fact that they have three wins against three different teams in three different cities in the last three days.
Loney has been on fire of late, hitting .451/.491/.824 with seven doubles and four home runs in his last 12 games. His three-run double in the seventh inning off Arodys Vizcaino gave the Dodgers their first lead of the game. Andre Ethier added a two-run single later in the frame to give the Dodgers a three-run advantage, adding to their scoring binge of late.
The Dodgers have scored six runs or more in 10 of their last 14 games, and have averaged 4.83 runs per game since the beginning of August.
Leadoff man Dee Gordon had three singles, stole two bases, and scored three runs on the night. Juan Rivera had two singles and three runs batted in. Matt Kemp singled and walked twice, and stole his 37th base of the season. Kemp was also caught stealing once, in the ninth inning.
Hong-Chih Kuo had one of his finest outings of the year, striking out three in his two innings of work, picking up his first win of the season. Javy Guerra allowed his first home run all year, a solo shot by Dan Uggla in the ninth inning, but recorded the final three outs for his 14th save of the season.
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