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Dodgers' four-homer inning sparks epic rally against Padres

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager hits a game-winning, two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
1 of 5 | Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager hits a game-winning, two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers trailed by three runs late in their game against the rival San Diego Padres, but erupted with a four-homer eighth inning for an epic comeback victory at Dodger Stadium.

Max Muncy, A.J. Pollock, Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager provided the power to lead the Dodgers to the 11-9 win Wednesday in Los Angeles.

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"It felt amazing. I'd be lying if I said it didn't," Bellinger told reporters. "That was the craziest inning. Maybe the craziest I've ever been a part of."

Pollock homered twice for the Dodgers. Star outfielder Mookie Betts also homered. Dodgers pitcher Max Scherzer allowed 11 hits and six runs in 5 1/3 innings, but was not on record for a decision.

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"He didn't have good command," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Scherzer. "It's part of the game. He's picked us up many times over and we picked him up."

"He was one of the happiest guys after we won the ballgame."

The Dodgers trailed 9-5 when Betts smacked his 22nd homer of the season to cut into the deficit. The solo homer traveled an estimated 427 feet to left field.

Dodgers pitcher David Price entered in relief and retired the Padres in order in the top of the eighth. Muncy led off the bottom of the inning.

Padres relief pitcher Emilio Pagan missed the strike zone on his first two pitches to the Dodgers first baseman.

Muncy fouled off Pagan's third and fourth pitches. He sent his fifth offering over the right center field fence for a 406-foot solo homer. Pollock followed with a 379-foot solo shot to right off a 2-2 Pagan fastball.

Pagan forced third baseman Chris Taylor to fly out in the next at-bat. Bellinger stepped into the box as the fourth batter of the half inning.

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The Dodgers outfielder took a swing and missed a Pagan cutter to start the exchange. He sent Pagan's 0-1 pitch to right field for a 372-foot homer, tying the score at 9-9.

Dodgers pinch hitter Justin Turner doubled to left in the next at-bat. Padres relief pitcher Nabil Crismatt then forced Betts to fly out to left field, bringing Seager to the plate with two outs.

Crimsatt forced a swinging strike with a changeup on his first pitch to Seager. He missed the strike zone with his next three pitches.

Seager crushed his 3-1 offering, another changeup, for a 384-foot, two-run homer to right field. The game-winning blow traveled 109 mph off Seager's bat and left the field in 3.8 seconds, according to Statcast.

Seager's homer was the second-hardest hit of the game, trailing a 111-mph single by Dodgers second baseman Trea Turner.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen struck out Fernando Tatis Jr., Trent Grisham and Jake Marisnick in order in the top of the ninth to end the game and earn his 37th save of 2021.

Seager went 3 for 5 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Pollock went 2 for 4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Muncy went 2 for 4 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a walk.

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Catcher Victor Caratini went 3 for 4 for the Padres. Padres third baseman Manny Machado went 2 for 4 with a home run, two RBIs, two runs scored and a walk. First baseman Eric Hosmer and second baseman Adam Frazier also collected two hits apiece in the loss.

Padres starter Ryan Weathers allowed five hits and five runs in three innings.

The Dodgers host the Padres at 10:10 p.m. EDT Thursday at Dodger Stadium. The Padres (78-80) missed the playoffs.

The Dodgers (102-56) clinched at least a Wild Card berth, but still can overtake the San Francisco Giants (104-54) to win the National League West.

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