CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds have won six of their past seven games, all against the first-place Cardinals and Dodgers. And in every game, it seems there’s a different hero, or a few of them.
“That’s what a team does,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “A team doesn’t depend on just one person. Everybody wants to be the guy and in that situation. That’s what a team is all about.”
Jay Bruce homered twice off left-hander Clayton Kershaw and Ryan Hanigan doubled in the bottom of the ninth inning to score Zack Cozart with the winning run in Cincinnati’s 3-2 victory over Los Angeles in the finale of a three-game series on Sunday night at Great American Ball Park.
With the victory, Cincinnati (82-62) moved into a second-place tie with Pittsburgh, 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Cardinals in the National League Central.
The magic number for Los Angeles (83-59) to clinch the NL West title remained at 10.
“We know we have a good club,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. “September games are tough to win. We’ve been playing pressure-packed games all along. The Reds could end up winning that division over there.”
Aroldis Chapman (4-5) struck out two in the ninth to claim the victory. Ronald Belasario (5-7) took the loss.
In the ninth, Cozart singled with one out off Belasario. Hanigan followed with a line drive to left field and Cozart raced home well ahead of the throw.
“Belisario is tough. He tries to get guys out with that sinker. I was looking for it,” Hanigan said. “It’s one of those games. A lot of quality pitching, low scoring. But it was an awesome way to win.”
Hanley Ramirez hit his 17th homer of the season for the Dodgers.
Kershaw allowed two earned runs in seven innings. Kershaw, who gave up a career-high 11 hits to Colorado in his last start, allowed just four hits by the Reds, but two left the park off Bruce’s bat.
Reds starter Homer Bailey allowed two earned runs and six hits with no walks and nine strikeouts in seven innings.
Ramirez launched a 1-1 pitch from Bailey into the left-center field stands, tying the score 2-2 in the seventh.
“I was kind of hoping it would be way up,” said Bailey of the pitch to Ramirez. “It came back to the top of the zone. It kind of slipped out of my hand. Right pitch, just didn’t feel right out of my hand.”
Bruce started the scoring with a majestic home run on a 1-0 pitch from Kershaw in the second inning, a towering fly ball that sailed just inside the right-field foul pole, putting Cincinnati ahead 1-0.
“He’s a good hitter and he’s doing a much better job of staying on lefties,” Kershaw said of Bruce. “But I supplied the pitches.”
Bailey, who has two career no-hitters, including one this season, retired the first 11 batters he faced. He struck out five in the first three innings, including three in the third.
“He was masterful early,” Baker said.
Kershaw allowed a hit and a walk, committed a balk and hit a batter in the third inning. But the Reds left the bases loaded.
Meanwhile, Bailey kept rolling. He fanned six straight Dodgers batters before Adrian Gonzalez singled with two outs in the fourth. Gonzalez later scored on Ramirez’s double that tied the score at 1.
The Reds regained the lead in the fourth when Bruce launched his second homer off Kershaw, a shot to right center that made it 2-1.
“He’s a pitcher, if he gives you a pitch to hit, if you don’t take advantage of it, you’re probably out,” Bruce said. “He threw me a couple pitches I could handle tonight.”
NOTES: Bruce’s home runs were the first by a left-handed batter off Kershaw since June 15, 2012. … Reds RHP Johnny Cueto threw 30 pitches during live batting practice with positive results. It’s possible that Cueto, who has been on the disabled list with a strained right lat muscle, could return within the next 10 days, possibly in a relief role. … Dodgers LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu had a successful bullpen session and remains on track to start Wednesday’s game against Arizona. “He came through it OK,” Mattingly said. “As long as he doesn’t have any problems tomorrow, we’ll stay on that Wednesday schedule.” … According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Reds rookie OF Billy Hamilton is the first player in modern major league history with a stolen base in each of his first four career appearances. … Reds CF Shin-Soo Choo tied a club record when he was hit by a pitch for the 24th time this season.