Los Angeles @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 25, 2014 ) LA Dodgers 8, San Francisco 1

After sending a strong message to the San Francisco Giants in the series opener, the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers look for a repeat performance Saturday behind ace Clayton Kershaw. Los Angeles tied a franchise record with five triples in Friday’s 8-1 win and pulled within a half-game of the first-place Giants in the National League West. Yasiel Puig and Hanley Ramirez both returned to action after missing several games due to injury, and Puig made an immediate impact by going 4-for-5 with three triples, a double and two RBIs.

The Dodgers continue to be pleasantly surprised by the play of All-Star Dee Gordon at second base, which has been an area of concern for the Giants all season. San Francisco placed second basemen Marco Scutaro (back) and Ehire Adrianza (hamstring) on the disabled list Friday and recalled infielder Tony Abreu along with veteran Dan Uggla, who is being given another shot after batting .162 in 48 games for Atlanta. “I like taking a look at players who have a track record, and he has an outstanding track record,” manager Bruce Bochy told reporters.

TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, SNLA (Los Angeles), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (11-2, 1.92 ERA) vs. Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (5-7, 3.99)

Kershaw has been outstanding in his career against the Giants, going 11-5 with a 1.48 ERA in 22 starts. Hunter Pence has been held to four hits in 41 at-bats against the two-time Cy Young Award winner, who allowed three runs over seven innings in a 7-4 loss to San Francisco on May 11. Kershaw has struck out 134 batters and issued 14 walks in 103 1/3 innings this season, and he has worked at least seven frames in nine of his last 10 starts.

Vogelsong is looking to bounce back from a shaky outing against Philadelphia on Monday, when he allowed a career-high 11 hits and four runs (three earned) over three-plus innings. The 37-year-old is 4-3 with a 3.76 ERA in 22 career games (13 starts) against the Dodgers, including a 3.12 ERA in three starts this season. Vogelsong has posted a 3.04 ERA in 11 starts at home this season compared to a 5.44 ERA in nine road outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants C Hector Sanchez will be placed on the disabled list with a concussion after taking a foul tip off his mask in the fourth inning of Friday’s game.

2. Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen has tossed 11 scoreless innings over his last 11 appearances.

3. The Giants are 41-15 when they hit at least one home run.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Giants 2