Dodgers breathing down the Giants’ necks

Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you. – Satchel Paige

Then it was one. One game is all that separates the Dodgers and the Giants in the National League West after Los Angeles clobbered St. Louis 9-1 last night and San Francisco imploded in a 7-2 extra inning loss to Cincinnati.

Zack Greinke (10-4) held the Cards to four hits over seven innings and struck out 10 as Los Angeles continued its march on first place.

The Dodgers put up a six-spot in the second inning on a series of bloopers and St. Louis blunders that included misplayed balls, dropped relays and overall weak defense.

Dee Gordon had a three-for-five night with two doubles and an RBI with Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and A.J. Ellis each contributing a pair of hits in 15-hit outburst.

Paul Maholm and Chris Perez mopped up for Greinke out the pen. Perez walked two and hit a batter in the ninth but still closed out the game without surrendering a run.

While the Dodgers were caging the Redbirds, San Francisco continued its slide up north. Cincinnati’s Brandon Phillips hit a two-run homer off of Giants’ closer Sergio Romo in the top of the ninth for a 2-1 lead.

San Francisco’s Buster Posey tied the game in the bottom of the ninth with a laser shot double to left but the Giants’ pen then gave up five runs in the 11^th to lose again.

The Dodgers will try to take three of four from St. Louis today when Clayton Kershaw (8-2) goes to the hill against Shelby Miller (7-6).

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