Van Slyke’s 3-run pinch HR helps Dodgers top Cards
May 21st, 2012 by Ric Hanson
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Pinch-hitter Scott Van Slyke connected for his first major league homer, a go-ahead, three-run shot in the seventh inning against his father’s former team, and the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied for a 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday night. Kyle Lohse allowed three runs and 11 hits over 5 2-3 innings with four strikeouts and left with a 5-3 lead. But rookie Elian Herrera started the Dodgers’ winning rally with a one-out single against Victor Marte, and Bobby Abreu greeted Mark Rzepczynski (0-2) with a single. Van Slyke, whose father is former All-Star Andy Van Slyke, got the green light from manager Don Mattingly on a 3-0 pitch and drove it into the left field bullpen after Andre Ethier struck out. Javy Guerra (2-3) got the win, which completed a three-game sweep for the Dodgers and improved the best record in the majors to 28-13.