Puig Returns from Bench for Game-Winning Homer

(AP) Yasiel Puig’s homer lifts Dodgers past Marlins 6-4
By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer
MIAMI
With his first swing of the night, Yasiel Puig snapped a slump and silenced speculation he’s in the doghouse.

The rookie sensation came off the bench to hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning and help the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Miami Marlins 6-4 on Tuesday night.

Puig was held out of the starting lineup after going hitless in his past 11 at-bats. He also drew a fine when he arrived late for pregame drills, raising more questions about the 22-year-old’s maturity and comportment.

He entered the game in the sixth inning in a double switch, batted for the first time leading off the eighth and needed only one pitch to break a 4-all tie. Puig pulled a ball that landed on top of the wall before bouncing over for his 12th home run since breaking into the majors June 3.

Puig pointed to the sky with both hands as he crossed the plate and received a jubilant greeting in the dugout, where teammate Hanley Ramirez jumped on him for a piggyback ride.

The NL West leaders broke a two-game losing streak, their longest in two months. They won despite blowing a 4-1 lead and hitting into four double plays.

The Marlins also had plenty of baserunners but went 2 for 14 with runners in scoring position. Miami shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria committed two errors, and each led to an unearned run.

Miami starter Jacob Turner walked the pitcher with two out in the fourth, and the Dodgers went on to score four runs in the inning. Turner allowed 10 hits and five walks in five innings and remained winless in his past seven starts.

Chris Withrow (2-0), the fourth of seven Los Angeles pitchers, threw 1 1-3 scoreless innings. Starter Chris Capuano allowed three runs in five innings, and Kenley Jansen pitched a perfect ninth for his 20th save in 23 chances.

Puig’s homer came off Dan Jennings (2-4).

Los Angeles totaled 16 hits, including at least one in every inning. Adrian Gonzalez had three hits and drove in a run. Juan Uribe added two singles and is 10 for 17 on the Dodgers’ trip.

Amid all the hitting, a base on balls was especially costly to Miami.

The Dodgers trailed 1-0 and had a runner at third with two out when Tim Federowicz was intentionally walked. Turner then walked Capuano on a 3-1 pitch, and the Dodgers took advantage of the lapse.

Carl Crawford’s RBI infield single made it 1-all. Mark Ellis followed with another RBI infield single, and when Hechavarria made an errant throw to first, another run scored. Gonzalez singled home another run for a 4-1 lead.

Christian Yelich led off the Miami first with a double, took third on a groundout and scored on Giancarlo Stanton’s groundout. The Marlins added two runs in the fourth, when Justin Ruggiano hit an RBI groundout and Hechavarria singled home a run.

Miami’s Jeff Mathis singled home a run in the sixth for a 4-all tie.

NOTES: Since July 23, when Yelich joined the Marlins, he and Puig are tied for the most hits by a major league rookie. … The Dodgers hit into four double plays for the fourth time this year. … Attendance was 25,690, giving the Marlins their largest back-to-back crowds this year.