The Dodgers’ Corey Seager, left, celebrates with first base coach Clayton McCullough after hitting a tiebreaking two-run home run against the Padres in the eighth inning of Wednesday night’s game at Dodger Stadium. It was the last of the Dodgers’ four home runs that inning and gave them an 11-9 win that kept them two games behind the NL West-leading Giants with four games left in the regular season. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer throws to the plate during the second inning of Wednesday’s game against the Padres at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer throws to the plate against the San Diego Padres in the second inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Trea Turner high-fives teammates after scoring on a single by Max Muncy during the first inning of Wednesday’s game against the Padres at Dodger Stadium. Turner, who Dave Roberts said might be the best base stealer he’s managed in six seasons in L.A., has a chance to become the first Dodger to lead the National League in stolen bases since 2014. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer looks down as Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres rounds third base after hitting a two run home run in the third inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer throws to the plate against the San Diego Padres in the second inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Starting pitcher Ryan Weathers #40 of the San Diego Padres throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Mookie Betts #50 rounds third base and scores on a RBI double by teammate Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres in the second inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Mookie Betts #50 scores past catcher Victor Caratini #17 of the San Diego Padres on a RBI double by teammate Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Mookie Betts #50 high-fives teammates after scoring on a RBI double by teammate Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres in the second inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer throws to the plate against the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres rounds third base after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres gestures to the crowd after hitting a two-run home run again the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Manny Machado #13 high fives teammate Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres after hitting a two run home run again the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Trea Turner #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches his RBI double as teammate Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers scores against the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers scores on a RBI double by teammate Trea Turner #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Corey Seager #5 high-fives teammates after scoring on a RBI double by teammate Trea Turner #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres in thefirst inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
AJ Pollock #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches his two-run home run against the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer looks down as Victor Caratini #17 of the San Diego Padres rounds third base after hitting a solo home run in the second inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
AJ Pollock #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds third base after hitting a two-run home run against the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
AJ Pollock #11, right, celebrates with teammate Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers after hitting a two run home run against the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
AJ Pollock #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers high fives teammates after hitting a two run home run against the San Diego Padres in the first inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks toward the umpires as they review a play in thethird inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Second baseman Trea Turner #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers tags out Eric Hosmer #30 of the San Diego Padres at second base in the third inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer looks toward the umpires as they review a play in the third inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers center fielder Gavin Lux can’t reach a triple by Wil Myers #5 of the San Diego Padres in the sixth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers center fielder Gavin Lux slams into the wall on a triple by Wil Myers #5 of the San Diego Padres in the sixth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers center fielder Gavin Lux slams into the wall on a triple by Wil Myers #5 of the San Diego Padres in the sixth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers center fielder Gavin Lux slams into the wall on a triple by Wil Myers #5 of the San Diego Padres in the sixth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers center fielder Gavin Lux is treated by the trainer as manager Dave Roberts, right, looks on into the wall on a triple by Wil Myers #5 of the San Diego Padres in the sixth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer looks on from the dugout against the San Diego Padres in the second inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Max Scherzer looks on from the dugout against the San Diego Padres in the second inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts hits a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches his solo home run against the San Diego Padres in the seventh inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hugs teammate Albert Pujols after hitting a solo home run against the San Diego Padres in the seventh inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy celebrates his solo homerun, to trail 9-7 to the San Diego Padres, during the eighth ining at Dodger Stadium on September 29, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo home run to tie the game against the San Diego Padres in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo home run to tie the game against the San Diego Padres in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger hits a solo home run in front of Victor Caratini #17 of the San Diego Padres, to tie the Padres 9-9, during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium on September 29, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodger fans catch the home run hit by Cody Bellinger of the Los Angeles Dodgers to tie the game against the San Diego Padres in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger drops hit bat after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting a solo home run to tie the game against the San Diego Padres in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger celebrates a solo home run, to tie the San Diego Padres 9-9, during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium on September 29, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting a solo home run to tie the game against the San Diego Padres in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting a solo home run to tie the game against the San Diego Padres in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with teammate Justin Turner #10 after hitting a solo home run to tie the game against the San Diego Padres in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger, right, celebrates with teammate Justin Turner after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning on Wednesday night to tie their game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers hit four home runs in the eighth inning to rally for an 11-9 win that kept them two games back of the Giants in the NL West race. “I don’t think anyone expects that, to be honest, but that’s the kind of talent that we have. Lineup’s really deep,” Bellinger said. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger, left, celebrates with manager Dave Roberts after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hugs Albert Pujols after hitting a solo home run to tie the game against the San Diego Padres in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches his two run go ahead home run against the San Diego Padres in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Corey Seager, right, hits a two-run home run as San Diego Padres catcher Victor Caratini watches during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Corey Seager celebrates as he rounds first after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Corey Seager, left, celebrates with first base coach Clayton McCullough after hitting a tiebreaking two-run home run against the Padres in the eighth inning of Wednesday night’s game at Dodger Stadium. It was the last of the Dodgers’ four home runs that inning and gave them an 11-9 win that kept them two games behind the NL West-leading Giants with four games left in the regular season. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds first base after hitting a two run go ahead home run against the San Diego Padres in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Corey Seager celebrates his two run homerun with Justin Turner #10, to take a 11-9 lead over the San Diego Padres, during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium on September 29, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts, center, and Manager Dave Roberts, right, greet Corey Seager as he returns to the dugout after hitting a go-ahead, two-run home run in the eighth inning of Wednesday’s 11-9 victory over the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Corey Seager, left, celebrates with Mookie Betts, center, and manager Dave Roberts after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hugs Albert Pujols after hitting a two run go ahead home run against the San Diego Padres in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Relief pitcher Kenley Jansen #74 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to the plate against the San Diego Padres in the ninth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Relief pitcher Kenley Jansen #74 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after defeating the San Diego Padres 11-9 during a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts, right, celebrates an 11-9 victory over the San Diego Padres with Corey Seager, center, and Trea Turner at Dodger Stadium on September 29, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES ― The Dodgers saved their best for last Wednesday night.
With four games left in the regular season, they’ll have to make it a recurring theme.
Trailing the San Diego Padres by three runs with six outs to go, the Dodgers hit four home runs in the eighth inning to complete a wild, come-from-behind 11-9 victory.
Home runs by Max Muncy, AJ Pollock, Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager pushed five runs across the plate, allowing the Dodgers to erase a 9-6 deficit. Seager’s two-run blast off right-hander Nabil Crismatt was the final dagger.
“Just trying to get the run in,” Seager said. “That was the only thought.”
The win allowed the Dodgers (102-56) to keep pace with the first-place San Francisco Giants (104-54) in the National League West standings.
The Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 1-0, earlier Thursday night. They lead the Dodgers by two games with four to play themselves, and their magic number to clinch the division title is down to three. The NL West runner-up will host the St. Louis Cardinals in the wild-card game on Oct. 6.
Pollock also homered in the first inning to give the Dodgers an early 4-0 lead. Mookie Betts began the Dodgers’ comeback from a 9-5 deficit with a solo home run in the seventh.
Seager went 3 for 5 with three RBIs. Pollock and Muncy each had two of the Dodgers’ 12 hits. Trea Turner extended his hitting streak to 15 games with an RBI single in the first inning.
Justin Turner came off the bench to hit a double in the eighth inning ahead of Seager’s game-winning blast. Turner’s 357-foot fly ball clanged off the left-field wall, falling a few feet shy of a five-homer inning.
David Price (5-2) was credited with the victory after pitching a scoreless eighth inning, and Kenley Jansen tossed a perfect ninth to convert his 37th save. The Dodgers have won eight consecutive games against the Padres (78-80).
This one will be remembered for a homer-happy inning unlike any other.
“That was a crazy inning,” Bellinger said, “maybe the craziest I’ve been a part of.”
After blowing leads of 4-0 and 5-1 early, the Dodgers saw the Padres rough up starter Max Scherzer for six runs (five earned) in 5⅓ innings. In the seventh inning, San Diego scored three more runs against Brusdar Graterol to take a 9-5 lead.
The same Padres team that committed two errors in the field just one day earlier turned the tables against Scherzer. The right-hander threw 97 pitches and induced only nine swing-and-misses.
For Scherzer, his last two starts amount to a rare lapse of dominance. He’s allowed five earned runs in back-to-back outings. He began the day with a 2.28 ERA, best in the National League, but now trails Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes, 2.46 to 2.29.
“He just didn’t have good command,” Manager Dave Roberts said of Scherzer. “At times the curveball was good. The cutter and changeup just weren’t commanded. He’s picked us up many times over. We picked him up.”
In what might have been his final start of the regular season, Scherzer also went 0 for 2 at the plate. He has failed to reach base in any of his 61 plate appearances this season, which would break the previous record held by Wei-Yin Chen.
On a night when hard contact was easy to come by for the Padres, the Dodgers’ defense was porous. San Diego tied the score at 5-5 in the fourth inning when Seager allowed a routine ground ball to glance off his glove, turning the potential third out into an unearned run. Chris Taylor flubbed an easy ground ball earlier in the same inning.
The Dodgers’ most costly error was officially recorded as a triple off the bat of Wil Myers in the sixth inning. It came at the expense of Gavin Lux.
Lux, making his sixth career start in center field, took his eye off Myers’ deep fly ball at the last second. He dropped the ball then crashed violently into the wall.
Lux sustained a neck stinger, Roberts said, and will be re-evaluated Thursday morning. He was replaced by Bellinger, whose defense in center field has been steady.
Bellinger’s bat is another story. He began the day hitting .158, the lowest batting average of any hitter with at least 300 plate appearances this season. He ended the day by treating the announced home crowd of 45,366 to a game-tying home run.
“He’s in a good place mentally, a good place physically,” Roberts said of Bellinger. “He was ready when called upon. His teammates were really excited for him.”
The teams will play once more Thursday as the Dodgers attempt to catch the Giants. A wild card berth would end their streak of division titles at eight.
