MLB GAME RECAP

Kemp’s RBI single lifts Dodgers to a victory over the Braves

The Sports Xchange

July 31, 2014 at 1:56 am.

Jul 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Matt Kemp (27) celebrates with teammates Juan Uribe (5), Andre Ethier (16), Dee Gordon (9), Miguel Rojas (72) and A.J. Ellis (17) after a hitting a walk-off single in the 10th inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers defeated the Braves 2-1 in 10 innings. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

LOS ANGELES — Matt Kemp’s RBI single in the 10th inning lifted the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night before 47,386 fans at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers (61-47) captured a season-high fifth straight victory and handed the Braves (58-50) their second consecutive loss. The Dodgers, who have won 14 of their 19 games at home since June 13, can sweep the series with a win Thursday.

Pinch-hitter Justin Turner singled to open the 10th and reached second on a wild pitch. Kemp drove him home on a full count single to left off reliever David Hale (3-3) for the game-winner.

Dodgers reliever J.P. Howell (3-3) walked two and struck out one in an inning.

Braves left fielder Justin Upton smoked a 2-2 pitch from closer Kenley Jansen for a solo blast to left to tie the score at 2 with no outs in the ninth. It was Upton’s 19th homer of the season.

The Dodgers had taken the lead in the eighth inning. Right fielder Matt Kemp, who went 2-for-3 with a homer and a walk, drew a two-out pass from reliever Jordan Walden and advanced to second on pinch-hitter Carl Crawford’s base hit. Kemp scored from second on third baseman Juan Uribe’s infield single that shortstop Andrelton Simmons gloved, but Simmons couldn’t make the throw to home quick enough to get Kemp.

Los Angeles starter Zack Greinke struck out a season-high 13 and gave up a run on five hits with a walk in eight innings, but did not factor into the decision. Greinke, who threw 110 pitches (83 strikes), struck out Braves’ leadoff hitter B.J. Upton four times.

Braves starter Alex Wood also had a strong outing, striking out eight and allowing a run on six hits in seven innings. He threw 114 pitches (68 strikes). The lone run Wood allowed was Kemp’s home run in the second inning.

Atlanta took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on an two-out single by shortstop Andrelton Simmons that scored catcher Evan Gattis, who doubled.

Kemp led off the bottom of the second by driving a 1-1 pitch from Wood over the wall in left-center field for a home run that tied the score. It was Kemp’s third home run in the past two days.

NOTES: Atlanta RF Jason Heyward didn’t start for the second consecutive game because of back soreness. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Heyward would probably be held out for a few more games. … RHP Jonathan Martinez was sent by the Dodgers to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday to complete the trade for INF Darwin Barney. Barney was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday to get some work at shortstop and third base. … Braves RHP Julio Teheran (10-6, 2.71 ERA) will face Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw (12-2, 1.76 ERA) in the series finale Thursday.

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