Joc Pederson’s two homers not enough in Dodgers’ 6-3 loss

Milwaukee 6, Dodgers 3

KEY MOMENT: Joe Wieland hadn’t recorded an out by the Brewers’ fourth batter of the game, and the Dodgers already trailed, 2-0. It would get worse. Wieland gave up a two-run home run, his second in four batters, and the Brewers took a 4-0 lead.

AT THE PLATE: Joc Pederson was playing video games Tuesday night when he got a text message from Bryce Harper, who had been impressed by Pederson’s recent power surge. “Keep it up,” Harper wrote. The next morning, Pederson turned on the Washington Nationals game to see Harper had hit three home runs. Pederson nearly equaled it Wednesday night. He hit two home runs to center field for the first multi-home run game of his career. “I guess you could say I was just trying to keep up,” he said. The rookie has nine home runs and is tied for the National League lead. His last seven hits have been home runs. The last player to do that was Jay Bruce in June 2013. His home runs in the fifth and eighth innings provided most of the Dodgers’ output. Justin Turner scored in the fourth inning on a throwing error.

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ON THE MOUND: Wieland recovered after a five-run first inning to save the bullpen from extended duty. The Dodgers used relievers Sergio Santos, Paco Rodriguez, Juan Nicasio and J.P. Howell for a combined 3 1/3 scoreless innings. They walked three batters but gave up only one hit. The Dodgers have the second-best bullpen earned-run average in the NL, behind the St. Louis Cardinals.

LOCKED IN: Bob Uecker has been calling Brewers games since 1971 and has spent countless hours in the broadcast booth. Usually, though, he can leave as he pleases. Not so Wednesday. The doorknob on the radio booth fell off, temporarily confining the 81-year-old Uecker and his crew to the room. Eventually, a ladder was raised to the open window, and a worker removed the door’s hinges.

EXTRA BASES: Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly said Yasiel Puig, who is on the 15-day disabled list because of a hamstring injury, ran the bases without any complications. He is tentatively scheduled to be the designated hitter at Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday. … Closer Kenley Jansen made his third rehab appearance at Rancho Cucamonga and gave up three runs over two-thirds of an inning, but the reports on his arm were positive. “I’m ready to come back next week,” he said. Mattingly prefers more patience. “Nobody wants to play minor league rehab games,” he said.

UP NEXT: Right-hander Carlos Frias (2-0, 0.00 ERA) will face the Brewers and right-hander Mike Fiers (1-3, 4.74) on Thursday at Miller Park at 10:30 a.m. PDT. TV: SportsNet LA; Radio: 570, 1020.