Smith's pinch 3-run HR in 9th rallies Dodgers past Giants

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Even without three of their biggest bats, Will Smith and the Los Angeles Dodgers found a way to rally for a big victory over the San Francisco Giants.

Smith connected for a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Dodgers rallied from five runs down to defeat the Giants 8-6 on Tuesday night in the second game of a pivotal series between NL West rivals.

“That was huge for us. This is a huge series. We stuck with it and came back and found a way to win a game. That’s our biggest win of the year so far,” said Chris Taylor, who hit two home runs while going 3 for 4 with three RBIs.

Los Angeles evened the four-game set at one apiece and moved within one game of the first-place Giants despite missing Mookie Betts, Justin Turner and Max Muncy. Betts was out of the lineup for the third straight day due to a hip pointer, while Turner and Muncy eventually ended up leaving the game after each getting hit by a pitch.

“We have a lot of depth and guys that we can run out there,” Smith said. “With the lineup and taking good at-bats, that keeps us in the game and we can walk away with the win.”

Taylor and Matt Beaty drew walks from Tyler Rogers (1-1) before Smith drove an 0-1 slider into the stands in left-center for the third walk-off homer and first pitch-hit shot of his career.

“I’m going to have a Bud Light and rinse this one off and be ready to get back at it tomorrow,” said Rogers after his fifth blown save of the season.

In a game that featured seven home runs, Los Angeles trailed 6-1 in the fifth before coming back. Taylor — who had the third multi-homer game of his career — hit a solo shot off Alex Wood in the fifth and a two-run drive against John Brebbia during a three-run sixth.

Giants manager Gabe Kapler said he still has faith in...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Smith-s-pinch-3-run-HR-in-9th-rallies-Dodgers-16328691.php