Dodgers fall to Braves, 3-2

KEY MOMENT: Trailing by a run, the Dodgers threatened against All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning, loading the bases with one out. With two on and one out, Adrian Gonzalez hit a line drive that fell inches in front of Justin Upton in left field. Upton could have thrown out Andre Ethier at third base, as Ethier didn’t know if the ball would drop and was caught in no-man’s land between second and third. Upton instead threw to second, where Dee Gordon beat the throw, loading the bases for Matt Kemp. However, Kemp, who had struck out three times, grounded into a double play to end the game.

AT THE PLATE: The Dodgers went ahead, 2-0, in a five-hit second inning that included run-scoring singles by Carl Crawford and Miguel Rojas. But the Dodgers didn’t score again. Crawford remained hot, going two for four with a run scored. Gordon and A.J. Ellis also had two hits.

ON THE MOUND: Hyun-Jin Ryu was charged with three runs and six hits over 5 2/3 innings before he departed from the game with a strained buttock muscle. Ryu absorbed the loss, his first since July 8. Jamey Wright pitched the remaining 2 1/3 innings for the Dodgers and didn’t give up any runs. Wright’s earned-run average is down to 3.05.

EXTRA BASES: Infielder Chone Figgins was released. Figgins, who batted .217 in 38 games for the Dodgers and was a mentor to Gordon, was designated for assignment last week. … Triple-A right-hander Stephen Fife, who made one major league start this season, underwent reconstructive elbow surgery. Fife is expected to return in 14-18 months. … Left-hander Colt Hynes, who was designated for assignment Sunday, was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays.

UP NEXT: Roberto Hernandez (6-8, 3.83) will face Aaron Harang (9-6, 3.31) and the Braves at Turner Field on Thursday at 9 a.m. PDT. On the air: TV: SportsNet LA. Radio: 570, 1020.