MLB GAME RECAP

Grandal homer helps Dodgers hold on to beat Rays

The Sports Xchange

July 27, 2016 at 1:23 am.

LADodgersLogoBy Forrest Lee, The Sports Xchange

LOS ANGELES — Yasmani Grandal’s seventh-inning home run was the difference as the Los Angeles Dodgers held on for a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night before 46,960 fans at Dodger Stadium.

Dodgers starter Bud Norris blanked the Rays for 6 1/3 innings, striking out six and allowing just two hits with two walks (one intentional). Norris (6-9) also recorded his 1,000 strikeout during the win, striking out Kevin Kiermaier in the fourth.

Closer Kenley Jansen earned his 30th save with a scoreless ninth.

Rays right-hander Chris Archer (5-14), who the Dodgers reportedly are pursuing in trade talks, fanned eight with no walks and gave up three runs (one earned) on four hits in seven innings. Archer was tagged by Grandal’s deep solo shot — his 14th of the season — to right to lead off the seventh, but delivered a solid performance for much of the game.

A one-out RBI double by Brad Miller off Joe Blanton in the eighth allowed the Rays (38-61), who dropped their fourth in a row, to avoid a shutout. A wild pitch by Dodgers reliever Luis Avilan scored Logan Forsythe to produce Tampa Bay’s other run.

Los Angeles (57-44), which captured three in a row, kept the Rays winless at Dodger Stadium in four career contests. The Rays also have never homered during their visits to the park.

Two Rays errors in the third inning led to a pair of Los Angeles runs. First baseman Steve Pearce was unable to field a throw by second baseman Logan Forsythe on a Joc Pederson grounder with one out. One batter later, Archer’s throw to Pearce on grounder near the mound by Chase Utley sailed high, putting runners at first and third.

Corey Seager and Justin Turner followed with a run-scoring singles for a 2-0 lead.

NOTES: Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw (disc herniation) spoke with reporters before the game but gave no indication whether he would return this season. Kershaw hasn’t thrown a pitch since July 16, when he completed a four-inning session in a simulated game at Dodger Stadium. Kershaw felt discomfort in his back afterward, forcing the Dodgers to shut him down indefinitely. “I didn’t have any pain leading up to when I pitched, then I pitched and I felt pain, so now I just have to wait until I don’t feel pain again,” said Kershaw, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since June 27. … Rays RHP Kevin Jepsen celebrated his 32nd birthday. He is the team’s only pitcher older than 30. … Rays LHP Matt Moore (6-7, 4.31 ERA) will face Dodgers RHP Brandon McCarthy (2-0, 1.61 ERA) in the series finale Wednesday.

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