MILWAUKEE -- It took the Los Angeles Dodgers' offense a little while to get going Tuesday, but it came through when it counted. A four-run seventh inning powered by two-run homers from shortstop Jimmy Rollins and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez turned a pitchers' duel into a romp, and the Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-2 at Miller Park.
How it happened: Down 1-0 in the sixth, Justin Turner belted a three-run home run off Milwaukee right-hander Matt Garza. Garza had kept the Dodgers quiet up until the sixth, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out four. But he gave up a one-out single to second baseman Howie Kendrick, walked Gonzalez and then hung a 3-1 slider to Turner, who crushed it to straightaway center for his fourth home run of the season.
Rollins made it a 5-1 game with a two-run homer in the seventh -- his third of the season -- off Milwaukee left-hander Neal Cotts. Cotts followed by walking Kendrick, and Gonzalez cashed in, smacking a 3-2 fastball off the batter’s eye in center for his ninth homer of the year.
The Dodgers’ late offense was enough of a boost for right-hander Zack Greinke, who continued his stretch of early-season dominance by holding his former team to a run on two hits with six strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings. Greinke also got into the action on offense, ripping a one-out double off Brewers right-hander Rob Wooten, which set the stage for the Dodgers’ big seventh inning. He improved to 5-0 on the year and dropped his ERA to 1.56.
What it means: A boost on the road. The Dodgers, leaders of the NL West, have been almost unbeatable at home this season (15-3) but have struggled on the road, losing seven of their first 10 games away from Dodger Stadium.
Gonzalez stays hot: Manager Don Mattingly said before the game that he wasn’t surprised teams were trying to pitch around Gonzalez, who earned National League Player of the Month honors for April after hitting eight home runs with 19 RBIs. After reaching base in all four at-bats Monday in the Dodgers’ 4-3 loss, Gonzalez actually struck out once Tuesday, but also walked twice and belted his ninth home run.
Coulombe debuts: Daniel Coulombe made his first appearance of the season and allowed a run on an RBI double by third baseman Aramis Ramirez in the ninth inning. Coulombe was recalled Monday from Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he posted a 1.74 ERA in eight games.
Up next: Joe Wieland will make his first major league start of the 2015 season Wednesday when the Dodgers continue their four-game series at Milwaukee. Wieland was 3-0 with a 3.60 ERA in four starts for Oklahoma City. He’s starting in place of right-hander Carlos Frias, who was bumped back a day by Mattingly, who decided to give Frias an extra day of rest. Wieland and the Dodgers will face Brewers right-hander Wily Peralta (0-4, 4.35 ERA).
