Dodgers blow ninth-inning lead, lose 3-2 to Giants in 10th

KEY MOMENT: The Dodgers were forced to watch the Giants celebrate a walk-off victory for the second consecutive day, as Justin Maxwell singled off Juan Nicasio in the 10th inning to drive in Angel Pagan. For the Giants, the win completed a three-game sweep of the Dodgers. “It showed you what this year’s going to be, what this division’s going to be,” Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly said. “So buckle up.” The Dodgers remain in first place in the National League West and the Giants remain in last, but the gap between the teams was reduced from six games to three. “These guys have won three championships in the last five years,” Mattingly said. “ I don’t think any of us in this locker room thought they were going anywhere. I think everybody knows what kind of club they have and who they are.”

ON THE MOUND: Spot starter Mike Bolsinger limited the Giants to a run and five hits over 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander, who was called up from triple-A Oklahoma City, struck out five and walked two. The Dodgers maintained their 2-1 advantage through the eighth inning, when second baseman Howie Kendrick made a diving catch on a line drive hit by Maxwell with two outs and the bases loaded. However, the Giants tied the score in the ninth inning, 2-2, when Brandon Crawford tripled off Pedro Baez to drive in Casey McGehee from first base.

AT THE PLATE: Starting for only the third time this season, Alex Guerrero hit his fourth home run. Guerrero is batting .474 and has driven in 12 runs in 19 at-bats. Adrian Gonzalez also homered, his first since he hit three in the third game of the season. Besides Guerrero and Gonzalez’s home runs, the Dodgers had only four hits.

MEDICAL REPORT: X-rays on catcher A.J. Ellis’ right hand were negative. Ellis was injured the previous night, when a ninth-inning pitch by Chris Hatcher ricocheted off Maxwell’s left elbow and struck Ellis on the back of the hand. Mattingly said Ellis was available to catch in an emergency situation on Thursday, but Scott Van Slyke, and not Ellis, warmed up pitchers between innings.

EXTRA BASES: To open a place for Bolsinger on the 25-man roster, the Dodgers optioned outfielder Chris Heisey to triple-A Oklahoma City. The right-handed-hitting Heisey was in the major leagues for only a day. … Dodger Stadium beating victim Bryan Stow was at the game and received a standing ovation when he was shown on AT&T Park’s video scoreboard.

UP NEXT: Zack Greinke (2-0, 1.83 ERA) will face the San Diego Padres and Andrew Cashner (1-2, 2.65) at Petco Park on Friday at 7 p.m. On the air: TV: SportsNet LA; Radio: 570, 1020.