Dodgers beat Chicago Cubs, 5-2

KEY MOMENT: Justin Turner blasted a three-run home run in the third inning off Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks to increase the Dodgers’ advantage to 4-0. The home run was the 10th of the season for Turner, who joined the Dodgers last spring on a minor league contract. Now the Dodgers’ No. 3 hitter and primary third baseman, Turner is batting .323 with 35 runs batted in. Asked where the Dodgers would be without Turner, Manager Don Mattingly replied, “I don’t want to think about it.”

AT THE PLATE: Turner’s home run was preceded by a solo shot from Adrian Gonzalez an inning earlier. The homer was Gonzalez’s 13th. Joc Pederson drove in an insurance run in the eighth inning when his single to right field scored Scott Van Slyke from second. Hendricks, the Cubs’ starter, lasted only five innings and was charged with four runs and four hits.

ON THE MOUND: Mike Bolsinger lasted only 42/3 innings, as Mattingly removed him from the game after he gave up two runs in the fifth. Five Dodgers relievers held the Cubs scoreless over the remainder of the game, including closer Kenley Jansen, who recorded his 10th save. The game ended when Chris Denorfia singled to left field and was thrown out by Van Slyke trying to stretch the hit into a double. The play was reviewed, but the call on the field was upheld. J.P. Howell (3-1) was credited with the victory.

EXTRA BASES: Yasiel Puig was a late scratch from the Dodgers’ lineup. A callous on Puig’s left hand tore open in the series opener Monday, and Puig had been playing with his hand heavily bandaged. In the lineup that was originally posted in the clubhouse, Puig was batting fifth and starting in right field. Puig batted leadoff in each of the team’s last five games. Mattingly said he wanted Puig to be in a position to potentially drive in runs for the run-starved team, which has scored two or fewer runs in 21 of its last 37 games. Alex Guerrero replaced Puig as the Dodgers’ No. 5 hitter and started in left field. Andre Ethier, who was originally slated to start in left field, replaced Puig in right. Mattingly said he was uncertain if Puig would play in the series finale Thursday. … Sidelined reliever Brandon League pitched two scoreless innings for triple-A Oklahoma City as part of a minor league rehabilitation assignment.

UP NEXT: Carlos Frias (4-5, 4.68 ERA) will face the Cubs and Jon Lester (4-5, 3.80) at Wrigley Field on Thursday at 11:15 a.m. PDT. TV: SportsNet LA. Radio: 570, 1020.