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Dodgers rally from five-run deficit for walk-off win over Twins

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) slides home on a sacrifice fly from Logan Forsythe (11) to tie the game, 5-5, during the eighth inning on July 26.
(Harry How/Getty Images)
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After his game-winning hit traveled into the outfield, Justin Turner disappeared inside a cloud of rosin powder and a mob of teammates. In a few moments, Yasiel Puig would unload an entire bucket of red Gatorade across his head and shoulders.

In the final act of a comeback from a five-run deficit, Turner smacked a walkoff RBI single to secure a 6-5 Dodgers victory over Minnesota on Wednesday night. The Dodgers are in the midst of a five-game winning streak after sweeping the Twins at Dodger Stadium.

The outcome had appeared unlikely — at least, for those unfamiliar with the 2017 Dodgers (71-31).

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“This,” manager Dave Roberts said, “is who we are.”

Minnesota taxed Dodgers pitcher Brock Stewart for five runs before he left in the fourth inning. All five were classified as unearned, as they occurred after a throwing error by catcher Yasmani Grandal in the third and a fielding error by second baseman Logan Forsythe in the fourth.

Grandal and Forsythe helped reduce the deficit in the seventh. The Dodgers had gotten on the board with solo homers from Joc Pederson and Puig earlier in the night against Twins starter Ervin Santana. In the seventh, after singles by Grandal and Forsythe, Chase Utley walloped a two-run double off the wall to trim Minnesota’s lead to one run.

“That big hit from Chase got us right back in there,” Roberts said.

The Dodgers tied the score in the eighth. Turner led off with a walk and jetted to third on a single by Enrique Hernandez. Forsythe flied out to center field, deep enough to bring home Turner — and draw a wild throw from outfielder Zack Granite, who threw the ball toward an unoccupied first base.

Stewart was making his first start of the season. He got promoted out of the bullpen after the team put Clayton Kershaw (lower back strain) and Brandon McCarthy (blisters) on the 10-day disabled list. Stewart had not given up a run in 13 innings this season.

He also had not thrown more than 3 1/3 innings in one appearance this season. Before the game, Roberts suggested Stewart would throw 45 to 50 pitches. Stewart made it to 55 before exiting with two outs in the fourth inning.

The Twins had scored three runs before Stewart left. His defense did him few favors in the third inning.

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After a single by Twins catcher Jason Castro, Grandal bounded from behind the plate to grab a bunt by Santana. Grandal tried to cut down Castro at second base, but the throw eluded shortstop Corey Seager.

The error hurt Stewart. Two batters later, Granite delivered a run-scoring single.

Joe Mauer, the former American League MVP, provided a two-run single soon after.

“When some things didn’t go my way, I made some bad two-strike pitches,” Stewart said. “I’ve got to do a better job of bearing down in those moments.”

The defense broke down again in the fourth. Castro took a two-out walk. Santana hit a grounder to the right side of the infield, where Forsythe failed to glove it. The error ended Stewart’s evening. Roberts sent Ross Stripling to mop up the mess.

Stripling could not do so. He served up a two-run double to Twins second baseman Brian Dozier, who shot a 94-mph fastball into right field.

The Twins would not score again. Pederson took Santana deep in the fourth. Puig did the same in the fifth. Puig celebrated his 19th homer of the season, which matched his career high, by planting a kiss on the cheek of hitting coach Turner Ward.

“I used to hit him a lot, but then his wife told me I couldn’t hit him anymore,” Puig said. “He’s an old man. So now I have to give him some tender, loving care.”

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After Puig displayed his affection, his teammates displayed their tenacity. They ground down the Twins bullpen until closing the show in the ninth.

“You can’t really put it in words,” Stewart said. “It’s like we know we’re going to win every night.”

andy.mccullough@latimes.com

Follow Andy McCullough on Twitter @McCulloughTimes

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