Dodgers’ offensive explosion helps Frias pick up third win

Dodgers 14, Milwaukee 4

KEY MOMENT: With the score tied, 3-3, Andre Ethier cracked a sixth-inning run-scoring triple. The hit helped ignite a rally that would lead to three more runs in the inning, when the Dodgers took a commanding 7-3 lead.

AT THE PLATE: The Dodgers were not expected to be a home-run-heavy team, but they already have 47, the most in either league. Yasmani Grandal added his third and fourth blasts in the eighth and ninth innings. In the second inning, outfielder Alex Guerrero hit his sixth home run in 18 games. He is third on the team in home runs, meaning two of the team’s three leaders in the category are rookies. Fellow rookie Joc Pederson has nine, tied for the lead with Adrian Gonzalez. Pederson added an RBI single in the ninth inning, ending a string in which seven consecutive hits were home runs. Gonzalez knocked in two runs with a bases-loaded single in the third inning. In the sixth, Ethier’s RBI single was followed by RBI singles by Juan Uribe and Grandal.

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ON THE MOUND: Carlos Frias improved his record to 3-0, even though his second start wasn’t as sharp as his first. He ran into trouble in the fourth inning, which began with four straight hits, but he retired the next three batters to limit the damage to two runs. He lasted five innings and gave up three runs, with six strikeouts. Grandal said Frias has to figure out how to more effectively use and locate his fastball, but added, “Once he does that, I think he’s going to be unhittable.” Manager Don Mattingly said Frias has worked his way into a more permanent role in the beleaguered back end of the rotation. “You’re looking to find guys that are being consistent,” Mattingly said. “Carlos is throwing the ball consistent for us. At this point, I don’t see us changing anything.”

GUERRERO NICKED: Alex Guerrero, the National League rookie of the month for April, was hit on the right foot by a pitch in the seventh inning. He fell to the ground and was attended to by trainers, but stayed in the game until he was later replaced in what Mattingly said was a move unrelated to any injury.

EXTRA BASES: The Dodgers optioned Wednesday’s starter, Joe Wieland, to triple-A Oklahoma City and recalled outfielder Chris Heisey. Heisey, who had seven home runs in triple-A, walked and scored two runs in two plate appearances Thursday.

UP NEXT: Left-hander Brett Anderson (1-1, 4.21 ERA) will open the series against the Colorado Rockies and right-hander Eddie Butler (2-2, 3.81) on Friday at Coors Field at 5:30 p.m. PDT. TV: SportsNet LA; Radio: 570, 1020.