Justin Turner, Yasiel Puig Provide Early Run Support For Ian Thomas
Turner continued to torment his former team by leading off the third inning with a solo home run, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 4-0. Van Slyke followed with a base hit and Yasiel Puig landed another big blow by pulling a two-run home run over the left-center field fence.
Thomas threw a third shutdown inning by retiring the Mets in order for the first time, striking out two in the process to give him four strikeouts on the night. Carlos Torres replaced Niese in the fourth and gave up a two-out double to Turner, who improved to 3-for-3 with the hit. Van Slyke popped up and the Dodgers were unable to add to their 6-0 lead.
After reaching on a one-out single, Hernandez was thrown out at the plate on Barnes’ double to end the fifth inning. Lucas Duda reached on a bloop double to lead off the bottom of the fifth that was just out of Hernandez’s diving reach. Conforto’s RBI groundout scored Duda before Thomas got out of the inning with the Dodgers leading 6-1 through five frames.
Carl Crawford led off the sixth by pinch-hitting for Thomas and struck out on three pitches. Torres retired the next two batters to complete a third scoreless inning of relief. Joel Peralta took over for the Dodgers in the bottom of the sixth and recorded two quick outs before allowing the Mets to spark a small rally.
Ruben Tejada dropped a single into right field, stole second base and scored on Murphy’s RBI base hit. Wilmer Flores extended the inning with a single of his own, which led to Peralta being lifted after throwing 18 pitches and allowing one run. Juan Nicasio stranded both runners by striking out Duda.
Rollins hit a solo home run in the eighth inning, his second in as many games and 32nd career home run against the Mets. The upper deck shot to right field pushed the Dodgers’ lead to 7-2. Pedro Baez walked Curtis Granderson with one out in the bottom of the eighth but ended the inning on a double play.
Freshly called up reliever Josh Ravin came on in the ninth to record the final three outs of the Dodgers’ 7-2 win.
[divide]Brandon Beachy Frustrated By Dodgers Debut
