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Los Angeles 4, San Diego 3

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the Los Angeles Dodgers came from behind Sunday to defeat the San Diego Padres, 4-3, and stay within two games of the lead in the National League wild card race.

Pinch-hitter Mike Kinkade's single off Kevin Walker in the top of the ninth inning scored Mark Grudzielanek with the go-ahead run.

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The Padres had a chance to take the lead in the eight, getting Cesar Crespo to second base with one out. But Paul Quantrill (5-4) escaped when Ron Gant lined out to left field and Crespo was doubled off.

Eric Gagne pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his 51st save.

Mark Kotsay hit leadoff blasts in the first and third for his first career multi-homer game as the Padres built a 3-1 lead.

With San Francisco winning at Milwaukee, Los Angeles needed a win to avoid falling three games behind the Giants with just six to play.

Marquis Grissom started the comeback with a leadoff single in the sixth. Two more singles loaded the bases before Eric Karros lifted a sacrifice fly. The Dodgers could have had more, but Shawn Green was caught off second base and tagged out in a rundown.

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Alex Cora tied it in the seventh with a solo homer, connecting on a 3-1 pitch from starter Adam Eaton.

Eaton pitched well, allowing three runs and six hits in seven innings with a walk and four strikeouts.

Jonathan Johnson (1-2) came on for the ninth for San Diego and allowed a one-out single to Grudzielanek, who made up for both teams' baserunning gaffes with some brilliant work on the bases.

Grudzielanek stole second as Cora struck out. After Walker came out of the bullpen, Grudzielanek got a good jump off second to beat Kotsay's throw to the plate on Kinkade's single.

Los Angeles starter Omar Daal allowed all three runs and seven hits in five innings.

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