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Dodgers discover a new low -- losing 10-2 to leave the Giants in first place

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Lose enough games and you’ll suffer your share of indignities. Moments that haunt or embarrass or humble.

The Dodgers have learned that all too well this season, yet Thursday in San Francisco produced a new candidate for their season’s ultimate indignity:

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Pushing the archrival Giants back into first place.

The Dodgers were fairly manhandled by the Giants, who pushed them around for a 10-2 victory Thursday that left San Francisco a half-game ahead of the Padres in the National League West.

The Giants haven’t been in first place since May 6.

Apparently, they just needed another shot at the Dodgers. Alas, Thursday was their last meeting. Now the Giants will have to find someone else to pick on.

The Giants took two of three in the series, and the season series 10-8. The next time they meet will be April Fool’s Day, when the Dodgers open next season. Ah, next season …

The Dodgers completed their longest trip of the season at 3-7, continuing to wilt down the stretch.

They could do little with Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez (11-8), who had a career-high 12 strikeouts in seven innings. He gave up four hits and did not walk a batter.

The Dodgers got an unearned run in the first and a solo home run by Russell Mitchell -- snapping his 0-15 streak to start his major league career -- in the fifth.

And that was it. Oh, and Ryan Theriot snapped his 0-for-27 streak.

Meanwhile, the Giants pounded the Dodgers, then pounded them some more. Then for fun, just a little more. Their 15 hits included three home runs, two triples and three doubles.

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Ted Lilly was the only starter in the three-game series who wasn’t on his game.

Lilly (8-11, 5-3 as a Dodger) lasted just 3 1/3 innings, surrendering six runs on seven hits, including a pair of home runs in the Giants’ four-run third inning.

That put the Giants up 5-1, and the way the Dodgers’ offense has been going, ended the fog-shrouded evening’s suspense.

Aubrey Huff and Buster Posey all took Lilly deep, and then Jose Guillen did the same off Jeff Weaver. It was a party in San Francisco.

The Giants added a couple more against rookie reliever Jon Link.

Then the first-place Giants called it a night, won a season series against their rivals for the first time in five years, and sadly waved goodbye to the Dodgers.

-- Steve Dilbeck

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