The power went out for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but not their luck.
Justin Turner blooped an RBI double to drive in Matt Kemp from second base on the first pitch after a 20-minute power outage in the 12th inning, giving the Dodgers an odd 5-4 victory over the San Diego Padres on Saturday night.
“That,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, “was a weird one.”
Manny Machado and Max Muncy each hit their 30th home run of the season, and the Dodgers overcame a third consecutive blown save by All-Star closer Kenley Jansen after Clayton Kershaw threw eight strong innings.
The power went out in the 12th with Kemp standing at second base and one out.
When play resumed, Turner blooped the first pitch from rookie reliever Robert Stock (0-1) into no-man’s land in right field. The ball fell between three defenders.
Kemp hadn’t drifted far from second, uncertain whether the ball would be caught. But when it dropped, he rounded third and scored without a play.
After the game, the Dodgers released a statement saying the outage was due to “a disruption in the city’s power feed” to the ballpark.
For the Padres, it was their fourth straight loss.
“It’s tough to lose on that fluky hit to right,” manager Andy Green said. “It’s been a tough year for us — it’s no secret. We know where we are in this process.”
Dodgers rookie Caleb Ferguson (4-2) earned the win with two innings of scoreless relief.
Machado’s three-run homer in the first and Muncy’s solo shot in the seventh had the Dodgers leading 4-3 entering the ninth. San Diego had scored on a solo homer from Franmil Reyes, an RBI single by Freddy Galvis and an unearned run on Eric Hosmer’s groundout.
All that came before Austin Hedges connected for his 11th home run of the season against Jansen, who has coughed up the lead three straight times since returning from a stint on the disabled list due to an irregular heartbeat.
In blowing three consecutive saves, Jansen has allowed four home runs.
LIGHTS OUT
It was the second time this season the power went out at Dodger Stadium. This time it came later in the night, and for a few seconds the stadium was completely black.
“Honestly, I’ve never really seen it that dark before,” said San Diego’s Wil Myers. “It was pitch-black. I couldn’t see anything. I didn’t know what was going on but didn’t want to think the worst right away.”
JANSEN’S WOES
Roberts said he would give the struggling Jansen the day off Sunday in hopes that, coupled with Monday’s off day, it would provide him a mental break.
“I’m fine. I don’t need a mental break,” Jansen said. “I just have to figure out some stuff and sharpen up.”
Kershaw said he thinks Jansen is close to returning to form.
“We all believe in him,” Kershaw said. “He’s not far off.
“The velocity is there, the cut is there. It’s just a matter of time.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Padres: LHP Eric Lauer (strained forearm) threw 61 pitches in a rehab start for Triple-A El Paso on Friday and is moving closer to rejoining the team. Green said Lauer’s fastball got up to 95 mph. “And it had some jump on it,” Green said. “All the secondary (pitches) had sharpness. We’re moving closer to activating him.”
Dodgers: RHP Ross Stripling (back) threw to hitters and is expected to be activated Tuesday. … OF Joc Pederson was out of the starting lineup with a bruised and strained left knee after fouling off a pitch Friday. He did pinch-hit in the ninth and Roberts said Pederson is scheduled to start Tuesday. … LHP Julio Urias, scheduled to be a Sept. 1 call-up, was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list and optioned to Class A Rancho Cucamonga. To make room for him, RHP Josh Fields (shoulder inflammation) was transferred to the 60-day DL.
