Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier pick up the slack for Dodgers
MILWAUKEE — Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier have felt responsible for the Dodgers’ stagnant offense.
On Monday, they did something about it.
Kemp and Ethier each hit long home runs in the Dodgers’ 3-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.
BOX SCORE: Dodgers 3, Milwaukee 1
“If things get going, it’s going to revolve around us,” said Ethier, who began the game batting .255.
Kemp, who is coming back from an off-season shoulder operation, had hit only one home run. That came April 24 against the New York Mets, when he barely cleared the right-field wall at Citi Field.
On Monday, Kemp’s sixth-inning home run was of the no-doubt-about-it variety, as it hit the facade of the second deck behind the left-field wall. Ethier’s fourth-inning blast traveled an estimated 440 feet and went several rows deep into the second deck behind the right-field wall.
Ethier also drove in Kemp for the first run of the game, as he tripled him in from first base in the second inning.
“I don’t think me and him have contributed as much as we can,” Kemp said. “We’re working hard, we keep grinding. Hopefully, this thing turns around.”
But Ethier, who was ejected by plate umpire Dan Bellino for something Ethier described as “dumb,” said the Dodgers had to score more than three runs.
Kemp was relieved to pass power-deprived Dee Gordon and pitcher Clayton Kershaw in home runs.
“I can’t be tied with Dee and Kershaw, man,” he said, laughing.
Ted Lilly is activated
Left-hander Ted Lilly was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list and is scheduled to start Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium.
Because the bullpen was heavily taxed in a recently completed series in Atlanta, Lilly was available to pitch in relief Monday and is expected to be available Tuesday.
Lilly, 37, was put on the disabled list because of a strained rib cage after the second of his two starts, in which he was pounded for five runs in three innings by the Colorado Rockies on April 29.
To clear a roster spot for Lilly, the Dodgers sent rookie Matt Magill to triple-A Albuquerque. Magill pitched effectively Sunday, limiting the Braves to one run in five-plus innings. He struck out eight.
Twitter: @dylanohernandez
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