Los Angeles Dodgers slug way past New York Mets

NEW YORK -- Yasiel Puig hit the tie-breaking homer leading off the seventh inning Saturday night for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who continued their historic two-month run by coming back to beat the New York Mets 7-4 at Citi Field.

The Dodgers (78-32) won for the 23rd time in their last 26 games and for the 43rd time in their last 50. They are the first team to win at least 43 contests during a 50-game stretch since the New York Giants in 1912.

The victory ensured a win of the three-game series for the Dodgers, who are 14-0-3 in their last 17 series dating to June 5-7, when they lost two of three against the Washington Nationals.

The Mets (49-59) have lost six of their last seven.

It appeared as if the Dodgers might be headed toward a historic loss when a trio of Mets -- Michael Conforto, Wilmer Flores and Curtis Granderson -- hit solo homers in the first inning against left-hander Rich Hill. New York right-hander Seth Lugo carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning.

But Hill and four relievers limited the Mets to three hits the rest of the way for the Dodgers. The Los Angeles offense, meanwhile, began stirring in the fifth, when Yasmani Grandal laced a two-out double to end Lugo's no-hit bid. The Dodgers busted out in the sixth, when Chris Taylor hit a leadoff homer and Cody Bellinger tied the score three batters later with a two-run blast.

Former Met Justin Turner homered leading off the eighth and Corey Seager launched a two-run upper-deck shot to right field to provide more insurance in the ninth.

Puig's homer off Paul Sewald (0-4) made a winner out of Brandon Morrow (4-0), who allowed one walk in one inning.

Rene Rivera homered in the ninth for the Mets.

Hill settled down after the rough first inning and was charged with the three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out eight over five innings.

Lugo allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five over 5 2/3 innings.

NOTES: Mets manager Terry Collins said CF Juan Lagares (broken left thumb), who is in the midst of a rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton, needs to play one or two full nine-inning games before the team considers activating him. ... Mets 2B Neil Walker made his first major league appearance at first base when he moved there during a double-switch in the sixth inning. ... Dodgers RHP Chris Hatcher (right shoulder) tossed two scoreless innings of relief Friday night for Triple-A Oklahoma City. ... Dodgers LHP Alex Wood, who admitted to fatigue following his most recent start Thursday, remains penciled in to start Wednesday. Wood will throw a bullpen session Sunday.