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Pitching struggles, but Jimmy Rollins delivers Dodgers win against his former team

Dodgers pitcher Eric Surkamp allowed four runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Dodgers pitcher Eric Surkamp allowed four runs in 3 1/3 innings.

(Chris Carlson / Associated Press)
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KEY MOMENT: Jimmy Rollins said this game was like any other, but, of course, it wasn’t. The game marked the first time Rollins played against the Phillies, with whom he spent the previous 15 seasons. It so happened that with the score tied, 7-7, in the bottom of the seventh inning, Rollins came to the plate with runners on second and third base. He singled against Jeanmar Gomez to drive in both runners and move the Dodgers in front, 9-7. Rollins increased the advantage to 10-7 in the at-bat that followed, as he scored on a double by Joc Pederson.

AT THE PLATE: Howie Kendrick tripled in the first inning and scored on a sacrifice fly by Justin Turner. The run was immediately followed by another, as Adrian Gonzalez hit his 16th home run of the season. The Dodgers trailed by as much as 6-3, but Yasmani Grandal erased the deficit as he hit a three-run home run to right field to tie the score, 6-6. Kendrick helped the Dodgers reclaim the lead in the sixth inning when he singled in Rollins to move them back in front, 7-6.

ON THE MOUND: With Carlos Frias on the disabled list and unable to take his turn in the rotation, reliever Yimi Garcia started the game. Garcia threw a season-high 43 pitches over two innings and was charged with two runs and four hits. Left-hander Eric Surkamp, who was promoted from triple-A Oklahoma City before the game, pitched the next 3 1/3 innings and gave up four runs. Pedro Baez inherited a 7-6 lead in the seventh inning, but loaded the bases and allowed the Phillies to tie the score. Kenley Jansen gave up a walk and a single to start the ninth, but got the next three batters to earn his 14th save.

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EXTRA BASES: Rollins said he intends to play beyond this season. “I’ve just got to hit a little better,” the 36-year-old shortstop said. … To clear the way for Surkamp’s promotion, the Dodgers optioned left-hander Daniel Coulombe to Oklahoma City and moved left-hander Paco Rodriguez to the 60-day disabled list.

UP NEXT: Brett Anderson (5-4, 3.00 ERA) will face the Phillies and Chad Billingsley (0-2, 7.71) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Dodger Stadium. TV: SportsNet LA; Radio: 570, 1020.

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