Dodgers 4, Mets 2
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers picked up some timely hitting and overcame an early deficit to notch their 38th win in 46 games with a 4-2 victory over the visiting New York Mets on Monday night at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers' stretch of success ranks as the best in modern club history and they won for the 21st time in 24 second-half games.
Los Angeles has found a variety of ways to win during its streak, and Monday was no different as the Dodgers overcame a 2-0 deficit behind star power and clutch contribution.
Adrian Gonzalez delivered his team-high 75th RBI with a two-run scoring single, aided by a Mets error, and Yasiel Puig followed with a sacrifice fly to give Los Angeles a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning.
After the Mets squandered a bases-loaded opportunity in the seventh inning, utility infielder Nick Punto smashed a Carlos Torres offering over the right-field wall for an insurance run.
That was enough to let Ricky Nolasco even his season record at 9-9 and improve to 4-1 with the Dodgers as he settled down after a rocky second inning.
Four of the seven hits Nolasco allowed came in the second inning, but he gave up just two runs as he won his third straight start.
Mets starter Jenrry Mejia started well but went on to allow six hits and three runs (two earned) in six innings while striking out four.
New York jumped on Nolasco in the second inning, collecting four consecutive hits to take a 2-0 lead.
Ike Davis opened the inning with a single and moved to second on a Wilmer Flores hit. John Buck followed with a single, scoring Davis, and Omar Quintanilla singled home Flores.
NOTES: RHP Shawn Tolleson made his first rehab appearance Sunday for the Dodgers' rookie-level affiliate in the Arizona League. Tolleson pitched a scoreless inning in his first live action since having surgery April 25 to repair a herniated disk in his back. He's pitched just once for the Dodgers this year, April 12. ... Mets C Travis D'Arnaud is expected to fill in for John Buck when Buck misses time for paternity leave. D'Arnaud has been sidelined much of the year with a fracture in his left foot, but he returned to minor league action in late July. ... The Dodgers acquired C Eliezer Alfonzo from the Mexican League and assigned him to Triple-A Albuquerque. They released INF Ian Stewart to make room. ... Mets RHP Jeremy Hefner had his elbow examined Monday and is reportedly scheduled to be re-examined Wednesday by team doctors. Hefner has struggled this year in 24 games, going 4-8 with a 4.34 ERA. He's been particularly bad since the All-Star break, 0-2 with a 9.13 ERA in five starts.
