Dodgers stay alive on Jays error, win in 10 innings

TORONTO -- The Los Angeles Dodgers keep finding ways to win.

With Los Angeles down to the last strike in the ninth inning Wednesday, Andre Ethier's line-drive single bounced over the head of Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Colby Rasmus, an error that allowed the tying run to score from first base.

The Dodgers went on to win 8-3 when a two-run homer by Mark Ellis keyed a five-run 10th inning before a crowd of 35,368 at Rogers Centre.

Los Angeles earned its sixth straight win, its 10th in a row on the road, while extending the Blue Jays' losing streak to seven games.

Ellis' fifth homer of the season followed a one-out walk to Juan Uribe.

Yasiel Puig added his ninth homer of the year in the 10th against left-hander Juan Perez (1-2), who had not allowed an earned run in his previous 22 innings with Toronto.

Ethier doubled in two more runs to complete the scoring.

Brandon League (5-3) pitched two scoreless innings for the win. Kenley Jansen retired the side in order in the 10th in a non-save situation.

The Dodgers had chances all game but stranded 13 runners.

"It felt good to win this game after having so many opportunities early," Ellis said. "Early in the year, we didn't come back in any games, I don't think. Lately we've been able to do that. That's the sign of a good team."

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said, "From the second inning on, I felt like we had chances. It was one of those games where you're going, 'Man, we're letting too many opportunities get away from us.' That game scared me a from the second on, just the way it went. It's nice to come back and get that."

The Dodgers swept the three-game series thanks to their ninth-inning comeback.

Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen walked Puig to open the inning. Janssen struck out the next two batters, but Ethier's single to center took a big bounce on the warm artificial turf and went over Rasmus' head as the tying run scored.

"You've got two outs and a guy at first base, you back up into no-doubles (defense)," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "He put it in the perfect spot, and you've got that spongy turf, it's a big (hop), and that guy can fly. He was moving on the pitch."

Referring to Tuesday's 10-9 loss in which Toronto blew an 8-3 lead, Gibbons added, "I thought we were rock bottom last night, but I guess not. They're swinging over there. Top to bottom that's one of the better offenses that we've seen, to be honest with you."

The Blue Jays took a 3-2 lead in the eighth. Melky Cabrera led off with an infield single against right-hander Ronald Belisario. Pinch runner Rajai Davis stole second. Davis scored on a throwing error by first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who made the stop on Jose Bautista's infield single but threw wildly to first.

Making his fourth start since the Dodgers acquired him in a July 6 trade with the Miami Marlins, right-hander Ricky Nolaso allowed two hits, four walks and two runs while striking out five in 5 2/3 innings.

Blue Jays right-hander Esmil Rogers allowed just two runs on 10 hits, one walk and hit a batter while striking out four in seven innings, leaving 10 runners stranded.

"That was some kind of performance because he had his back against the wall all night long," Gibbons said. "I mean, he was Houdini tonight."

"I tried to give us an opportunity to win the game," he said. "Maybe my next start I'm going to start from the stretch and not use my windup. I'm not doing anything different from my last start, I just made good pitches tonight."

Ethier opened the second with a single and scored on a sacrifice fly by Uribe. In the third, Puig's RBI double gave the Dodgers a 2-0 lead.

The Blue Jays tied the game in the fifth on their first hit of the game, a two-run double off the wall in center by Brett Lawrie.

"This series in Toronto proved that we're pretty hot right now," said League, a former Blue Jay who also won Tuesday's game. "It doesn't matter what bullpen is pitching against us. We showed that we can score against anyone. We're rolling right now. We're going to see how long this roll lasts."

NOTES: Dodgers CF Matt Kemp (sprained left ankle) was placed on the disabled list for the third time this season, retroactive to Monday, after he rolled the ankle Sunday sliding into home plate. ... LHP Ted Lilly (neck strain) was activated from the DL to replace Kemp on the active roster, and he likely will be used as a long reliever. ... Blue Jays RHP Brandon Morrow (forearm) is still not 100 percent and will be given more rest and be re-examined, GM Alex Anthopoulos said. Morrow has been on the DL since May 29. ... The Blue Jays will send out LHP Mark Buehrle (5-7, 4.83 ERA) against LHP Erik Bedard (3-7, 4.41) on Thursday in the opener of a four-game series with the Houston Astros. ... The Dodgers return home for a four-game series with the Cincinnati Reds and will start RHP Zack Greinke (8-2, 3.36 ERA) against RHP Mat Latos (9-3, 3.53) in Thursday's opener.