Reds walk off with win over Dodgers

CINCINNATI -- After battling through inconsistency and some key injuries this season, the Cincinnati Reds now are making a serious run at the National League Central title.

"September's the time to step up or shut up," said third baseman Todd Frazier, Saturday's hero. "It's a long season. This is the time to forget about what's happened in the past. It's been a fun month so far."

Frazier's RBI single in the bottom of the tenth inning drove home rookie Billy Hamilton with the winning run, lifting Cincinnati to a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.

In the tenth, Brian Wilson issued a leadoff walk to Ryan Ludwick. Hamilton, who's now 4-for-4 on stolen base attempts since being recalled from Triple-A this week, pinch-ran and promptly stole second. Frazier lined a single to right and Hamilton scored the game-winner ahead of Yasiel Puig's throw.

"He could probably score on an infield single," Frazier said. "I was just trying to put the bat on the ball there."

Cincinnati (81-62) moved to within 1 1/2 games of the first-place Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Central.

"This team keeps fighting and fighting," said Reds manager Dusty Baker. "It was a playoff atmosphere today, and it's going to be like this from now on. This is why I manage."

The magic number for the Dodgers (83-58) to clinch the National League West Division remained 11.

"We just haven't done enough to win," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly after dropping the first two games of the series. "For a month and a half we got every big out we needed. There is nothing we're doing wrong. We got some big outs today. We just didn't get the big hit."

J.J. Hoover (4-5) earned the victory. Wilson (1-1) took the loss.

Puig hit his 15th home run for Los Angeles in the second inning.

Second baseman Cesar Izturis, starting in place of Brandon Phillips, went 3-for-4 with a double and RBI. "I thought it was his day today," Baker said. "He did plenty to help us."

Dodgers starter Zach Greinke allowed two earned runs on eight hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out nine.

"I was battling," Greinke said. "I was making a bunch of good pitches. But they were battling too."

Reds starter Mat Latos gave up three earned runs in seven innings. He allowed two hits with a walk and a hit batter in the first inning, but the Dodgers managed just one run.

"They're not going to give a reward for that, because that's what you're paid to do," said Baker of Latos' effort. "He's learning to do that, battle. He's going to get better and better."

RBI singles by Jay Bruce and Ludwick in the bottom of the first put Cincinnati ahead 2-1.

Greinke allowed two runs on four hits in the first inning, but he cruised from there. The Reds managed just four hits over his subsequent five innings.

Puig launched a 2-2 pitch from Latos for a two-out, two-run home run putting the Dodgers up 3-2 in the second.

The Dodgers missed a chance to increase their lead in the fourth when, with runners on first and second, Adrian Gonzalez singled to right but Greinke was tagged out in a rundown between third and home.

Cincinnati loaded the bases with one out in the fifth. But Greinke struck out both Bruce and Ludwick swinging to end the inning.

Greinke exited with 106 pitches after six innings, and the Reds took advantage of the Dodgers bullpen.

Izturis' RBI double off Paco Rodriguez drove home Shin-Soo Choo to tie the score 3-3 in the seventh.

NOTES: It was Cincinnati's tenth walk-off win this season. ... Phillips, still feeling the effects of a left quad contusion suffered in Thursday's game, wasn't in the starting lineup on Saturday. ... Dodgers LHP Chris Capuano, who left Friday's game with a mild left groin strain, plans to throw a bullpen session on Monday then determine next steps. "We don't know if he can make his next start until he throws a bullpen," said manager Don Mattingly. "We'll see where he is then." RHP Edinson Volquez will start on Tuesday against Arizona. ... Dodgers LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu, who skipped a start due to mid-back soreness, will throw a bullpen session on Sunday. "Ryu feels good enough to throw a pen tomorrow," Mattingly said. "We're very confident he'll be ready (to start) Wednesday." ... The Reds honored Hall of Fame second baseman Joe Morgan in a pregame ceremony on Saturday and unveiled a bronze statue of him outside Great American Ball Park prior to the game. ... Choo's single in the fifth extended his on-base streak to 14 games. ... Dodgers pinch-hitter Jerry Hairston Jr. was ejected for arguing a called-third strike in the ninth.