The Dodgers scored eight runs in a game for the first time since July 29.
LOS ANGELES -- Carl Crawford homered and had three hits, leading a much-needed offensive revival by the Dodgers in an 8-6 win over the Padres in the opener of a three-game series on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.
Crawford was 3-for-3 with a walk, scoring three and driving in three. His two-run home run off Alex Torres in the seventh inning widened the Dodgers' lead to 8-4, and was his first home run since May 23, after a span of 132 plate appearances.
Crawford has 16 hits in his last 31 at-bats.
Things started ugly for Kevin Correia, who fell behind 3-0 just four hitters into the game, when a one-out double by Abraham Almonte and walk to Dodger killer Seth Smith were followed by Jedd Gyorko, who hit one to the black tarp over the seats in center field, adding to his much-ballyhooed franchise record.
But though like Sunday they were down big early, the Dodgers offense didn't do away quietly on Tuesday night.
Crawford singled with one out in the second inning, then scored on an RBI double for Justin Turner. That was followed by an RBI single by Erisbel Arruebarrena in his first at-bat since rejoining the club from Triple-A, pulling the Dodgers to within a run.
The same crew was involved in a three-run fifth inning, one started with a double by Matt Kemp, one of his two doubles in the game. After Crawford walked, Turner hit his second double of the game, but it was the most bizarre play of the night. The ball sailed over Almonte's head in center field, but Kemp tagged up at second thinking the ball might be caught. Crawford was on Kemp's tail as both headed for third base with Turner running to second. Kemp had no choice but to try to score and would have been out by a mile had first baseman Jake Goebbert not cut the relay throw off and hold it.
The Dodgers added another run in the fifth, the last inning for Padres starter Ian Kennedy.
The Dodgers offense scored eight runs for the first time since July 29. Crawford said a pregame team meeting coupled with Monday's day off helped the offense find its groove.
"We lost three straight games, just trying to get back on track," Crawford said. "That day off was good for us. It felt good to get that rest in and come out strong today."
Crawford's home run in the seventh was his first off a left-handed pitcher since April 10, 2013, when he took Wednesday starter Eric Stults deep.
Correia recovered from that early 3-0 deficit to keep the Padres in check until the fifth, when three straight San Diego hits produced another run. Correia won his second game as a Dodger and tied his season high with six strikeouts, set previously on May 20 also against the Padres.
Correia was pulled after five innings, but said in his second start with a new team he didn't lobby hard to remain in the game, especially knowing the bullpen was fresh after a day off Monday.
"I haven't pitched in the National League for a couple of years," Correia quipped. "I want to get my feet wet before I start yelling at coaches to go back out there."
Kenley Jansen walked Will Venable to open the ninth inning, his first walk since July 29. Jansen had struck out 13 of his 29 batters faced in between walks. Venable scored and Jansen gave up two more hits, but Almonte was thrown out after rounding third base for the final out of the game.
The final play was reviewed, but after replay the call was upheld to preserve the win.
Jansen recorded his 35th save of the season, the most by a Dodgers pitcher since Jonathan Broxton saved 36 games in 2009.
Tuesday particulars
Home runs: Carl Crawford (5); Jedd Gyorko (9)
WP - Kevin Correia (7-13): 5 IP, 8 hits, 4 runs, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts
LP - Ian Kennedy (9-11): 5 IP, 7 hits, 6 runs (5 earned), 2 walks, 5 strikeouts
Sv - Kenley Jansen (35): 1 IP, 2 hits, 1 run, 1 walk