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Dodgers need 12 innings to get past Padres, 4-2

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger pitches against the San Diego Padres on Sunday.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger pitches against the San Diego Padres on Sunday.

(Gregory Bull / AP)
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KEY MOMENT: With two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the 12th inning, Adrian Gonzalez singled off right-hander Dale Thayer to drive in two runs and break a 2-2 tie. Four innings earlier, Gonzalez erased a 2-1 deficit and sent the game into extra innings, as his double off Joaquin Benoit scored Yasiel Puig from first base.

ON THE MOUND: Dodgers starter Mike Bolsinger didn’t allow any runs over the first four innings, during which he struck out seven batters, only one fewer than his career high. But the game suddenly unraveled on Bolsinger in the fifth inning, as he allowed five consecutive batters to reach base. Bolsinger gave up two runs in that inning, which he didn’t complete. Six relievers combined to pitch 7 1/3 innings in the victory, including closer Kenley Jansen, who earned his ninth save.

AT THE PLATE: The Dodgers’ only run in the first seven innings was scored on a homer by Andre Ethier. The seventh-inning shot accounted for the only run charged to Padres starter James Shields, who limited the Dodgers to five hits over seven innings.

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EXTRA BASES: Alberto Callaspo started at third, but Manager Don Mattingly said Justin Turner is the team’s primary player at the position. Asked why, Mattingly replied, “Just kind of the whole package — defensively, offensively.” Turner started the Dodgers’ two previous games at third base. Alex Guerrero, who has 10 home runs, made his last start at third on May 24. Guerrero, 28, was a career-long shortstop in Cuba. He played primarily at second base in the minors last season. This season, he has started nine games at third base and 21 in left field. Mattingly made reference to how Guerrero faces the challenge of learning new positions at the major league level. Mattingly also said he likes having Guerrero off the bench. Guerrero has eight RBIs as a pinch hitter, the most in the major leagues.

UP NEXT: Carlos Frias (4-3, 3.86 earned-run average will face the Texas Rangers and Yovani Gallardo (5-6, 3.45) at Globe Life Park in Arlington on Monday at 5 p.m. PDT TV: SportsNet LA; Radio: 570, 1020.

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