Dodgers have a rough week, but finish strong

The Dodgers lost three games in a row last week. 

They haven’t lost two games in a row since July 25 and 26 against the Washington Nationals.

They haven’t lost three games in a row since June 10-12 in San Francisco against the Giants.

Those Giants are in LA to start a three-game series at Dodger stadium today.

The Dodgers went through a rough patch against the New York Mets and those pesky San Diego Padres. The Dodgers lost two games in a row in New York before coming home on Friday night and losing to the Padres to start a weekend series.

But the Dodgers turned things around in a big way on Saturday night. Just when the Padres thought they were on the same level as the Dodgers, they were quickly put back in their place, 19 games out of first place.

The Dodgers hit four home runs in a 12-1 blowout of the Padres on Friday night. Mookie Betts hit his 33rd home run of the season, a career high. He was 2-for-4 and drove in three runs.

“It's been an up-and-down year and I don't know how I got to where I am,” Betts told the Associated Press after Friday’s game. “I'm just enjoying it.”

He’s not the only one.

Catcher Will Smith hit his 20th home run, and drove in four runs.

Justin Turner and Trea Turner each hit two-run home runs.

And to rub it in, starter Julio Urias won his 15th game, giving up one run on six hits in six innings. He is 15-7 and has won 11 of his past 13 starts.

The Dodgers didn’t ease up on Sunday, beating the Padres, 9-4 in a bullpen game.

Trayce Thompson delivered the big blow with a three-run home run, his eighth of the season.

Smith hit a homer for the second game in a row, his 21st of the season.

And Justin Turner stayed hot going 2-for-3 and knocking in two runs.

The Dodgers outscored the Padres 21-5 in the final two games of the series, if you’re keeping score at home. 

On Monday night, the Dodgers host the Giants, who are coming off a sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies over the weekend. But it comes after a seven-game losing streak for the Giants. The Dodgers meanwhile are 8-4 in their last 12 games.

Even though it looks like the Dodgers fortune has turned around a bit, it wasn’t all good news.

They lost starter and unexpected ace Tony Gonsolin to the injured list with a sore forearm.

David Price is also on the injured list and reliever Brusdar Graterol, who has been on the injured list, is not expected to return anytime soon.

Dodger starter power rankings:

1. Julio Urias
2. Andrew Heaney
3. Tyler Anderson
4. Clayton Kershaw
5. Dustin May

Andrew Heaney (2-1) starts for the Dodgers (92-41) against Logan Webb (11-8) and the Giants tonight. The Dodgers magic number is nine to win the National League West Division title. They have a weekend series against the Padres in San Diego starting on Friday and could have the division wrapped up by as early as Saturday.