LOS ANGELES — Catcher Buster Posey hit a grand slam, and the San Francisco Giants continued their dominance of the Los Angeles Dodgers, earning a 9-5 victory on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.
Giants starter Chris Heston (7-5) gave up three runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out one and walking none.
Center fielder Brandon Crawford hit an RBI double in the sixth for a 5-3 Giants’ lead, but Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson prevented the Giants from scoring more in the inning by making a diving grab of a line drive by right fielder Gregor Blanco with runners at first and second.
However, a two-run single by third baseman Matt Duffy in the seventh keyed a four-run surge by the Giants (37-32) and helped them pull away for their eighth win in 10 meetings this season with Los Angeles (38-30). The Giants also cut the first-place Dodgers’ cushion to 1 1/2 games in the National League West.
Dodgers right-hander Mike Bolsinger surrendered five runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and three walks in 5 1/3 innings. It was the most runs allowed by Bolsinger (4-2) this season.
Third baseman Justin Turner homered for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers ended their drought against San Francisco in the second inning. Catcher Yasmani Grandal’s RBI single with one out gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. It was the first run by the Dodgers, who were shut out in three straight losses in San Francisco May 19-21, against the Giants in 32 1/3 innings, the longest stretch since the Pittsburgh Pirates blanked them for 33 consecutive innings over two seasons in 1967 and 1968.
Posey wiped out the deficit with one swing, drilling an off-speed pitch from Bolsinger into the Dodgers bullpen in left for a grand slam and a 4-1 Giants’ advantage with two outs in the third. It was the 10th home run of the season for Posey and his third career slam.
Third baseman Justin Turner smoked a run-scoring double past left fielder Nori Aoki to score center fielder Joc Pederson, who also doubled. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez followed with a single to score Turner to pull the Dodgers within 4-3.
NOTES: San Francisco OF Gregor Blanco was activated Friday from the seven-day disabled list after sitting out the previous nine games with concussion-like symptoms. Blanco started in right field, where he will primarily play until the return of injured OF Hunter Pence, who is on the disabled list with left-wrist tendinitis. The Giants optioned OF Jarrett Parker to Triple-A Sacramento. … Injured Dodgers RHP Pedro Baez, RHP Brandon League and RHP Joel Peralta were scheduled to pitch in rehab assignments Friday night with Triple-A Oklahoma City. … Giants broadcaster and former major leaguer Duane Kuiper celebrated his 65th birthday. … Giants RHP Tim Hudson (4-6, 4.65 ERA) will face Dodgers RHP Carlos Frias (4-4, 4.14 ERA) on Saturday.