Dodgers have lost eight of 10, are 0-7 in San Francisco
Giants pinch hitter Alejandro De Aza, center, is mobbed by teammates after driving in the game-winning run to win 3-2 in the 12th inning against the Dodgers.
The Dodgers can’t possibly blow this, can they?
Their magic number to win the National League West is only two. They have six games remaining in the regular season, including three more over the next three days against the second-place San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Beat the Giants once and the Dodgers are division champions for the third consecutive season.
But the impossible suddenly felt possible Monday.
The Dodgers lost a game that was theirs to win, as they fell in 12 innings to the Giants, 3-2.
They had Zack Greinke on the mound.
It didn’t matter.
They had Adrian Gonzalez back in the lineup.
It didn’t matter.
Their late September plunge continued. The loss was their eighth in 10 games.
They remained winless this season at AT&T Park, where they are now 0-7.
The Dodgers tied the score in the top of the ninth inning, only to lose the game in the 12th, when Alejandro De Aza drove in Marlon Byrd with a sacrifice fly off Adam Liberatore.
If there was any consolation for the Dodgers, it’s that Clayton Kershaw will be starting for them Tuesday.
One problem: Pitching opposite him will be Madison Bumgarner, the most valuable player of the 2014 World Series.
Kershaw and Bumgarner have pitched against each other six times. The Giants have won the last five of those games, including all three this season.
None of that would matter if the Dodgers had completed their comeback in the series opener.
With the Dodgers trailing, 2-1, Corey Seager started the ninth inning with a single to center field off left-hander Josh Osich. Seager advanced to second base on a single by Gonzalez.
Giants closer Santiago Casilla replaced Osich.
Justin Turner put down a sacrifice bunt, advancing both runners. Manager Don Mattingly’s decision to bunt resulted in a run when Andre Ethier grounded out to second base.
The score was tied, 2-2, and the game headed to extra innings.
The Dodgers were behind for most of the night, as the Giants went ahead in the second inning, 2-0.
Brandon Crawford singled to left field, after which Byrd grounded into a force out. Byrd advanced to second base on a single by Kelby Tomlinson, which set up a two-run double by Trevor Brown, the No. 8 hitter.
Brown has been in the major leagues for only 13 days. The 23-year-old catcher graduated from Hart High in Newhall. He later played at UCLA.
The Dodgers scored their only run against Giants starter Jake Peavy in the top of the third inning.
Carl Crawford singled with two outs and stole second base. Seager, who started in place of Jimmy Rollins at shortstop, singled to center field to drive in Crawford and reduce the deficit to 2-1.
Peavy didn’t allow another hit. He pitched seven innings, limiting the Dodgers to three hits and a walk. He struck out four.
Greinke also pitched seven innings. He allowed two runs and four hits. He struck out seven but walked three.
The game marked the return of Gonzalez, who was sidelined for the two previous games because of a pinched nerve in his lower back.
Gonzalez said he felt considerably better than he had two days earlier, when he was incapable of bending over.
Gonzalez thought he was ready to play Sunday, but was advised not to by the team’s medical staff.
“Their concern is the same concern I have — to get ready for the playoffs,” Gonzalez said.
Of course, they have to get there first.
Up next
Kershaw (15-7, 2.25 ERA) will face Bumgarner (18-8, 2.88) and the Giants on Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. at AT&T Park. TV: SportsNet LA; Radio: 570, 1020.
Twitter: @dylanohernandez
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