Dodgers start fast, then hold off Mets, 4-3

KEY MOMENT: The game was turned into something uncomfortable by the Dodgers bullpen, which inherited a 4-0 lead from starter Zack Greinke. The Dodgers’ advantage was cut to 4-2 in the eighth inning, as Yimi Garcia, Adam Liberatore and Pedro Baez combined to give up two runs on four hits. With closer Kenley Jansen unavailable, Garcia returned to the mound for the ninth inning, which he started by plunking Ruben Tejada and giving up a single to Kevin Plawecki. Tejada eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Juan Lagares to get the Mets to within 4-3, after which Garcia was removed from the game. Left-hander J.P. Howell was brought in to face the left-handed-hitting Curtis Granderson. Howell struck out Granderson to end the game.

AT THE PLATE: Adrian Gonzalez homered for the second consecutive day, this time launching a fifth-inning solo shot that doubled the Dodgers’ lead to 2-0. Yasmani Grandal increased the advantage to 3-0 later in the inning, when he scored on a single by Alberto Callaspo. The inning was the last pitched by Mets starter Matt Harvey, whose pitch count ran up to 100. Harvey tied his career high in walks, as he issued five free passes to the Dodgers. The Dodgers also collected five hits against Harvey and loaded the bases against him in three innings. Grandal and Andre Ethier reached base safely three times each. Yasiel Puig had a double and a run.

ON THE MOUND: Greinke was again magnificent, limiting the Mets to four hits over seven innings. Greinke didn’t walk a single batter and extended his scoreless streak to a career-long 272/3 innings.

EXTRA BASES: The Dodgers are uncertain whether Carlos Frias will make his scheduled start Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies, as the rookie right-hander is dealing with lower back problems that limited him in his last appearance. “He was OK today,” Manager Don Mattingly said. “I don’t think quite as good as we’d like him to be, so I think we’re still kind of talking about that. We haven’t really made a decision on that yet.” Frias was able to throw a bullpen session, but Mattingly said the discomfort “wasn’t like free and just totally out of his mind.” Frias underwent an MRI examination that revealed no structural problems with his back. “That doesn’t mean he’s not still feeling some pain,” Mattingly said. Frias pitched five innings in his most recent start, which was against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

UP NEXT: Mike Bolsinger (4-2, 2.76 ERA) will face the Mets and Steven Matz (1-0, 2.35) at Dodger Stadium at 1 p.m. TV: SportsNet LA. Radio: 570, 1020.