LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers had to wait for Kike Hernandez's eighth-inning homer to get on the scoreboard Sunday. Patience led to the winning run, too.

Pinch-hitter Yasmani Grandal walked with the bases loaded to end the game, and the Dodgers used another strong start from Japanese rookie Kenta Maeda to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 on Sunday.

Grandal, hitting .184 this season, took a 3-2 pitch from reliever Tyler Thornburg (3-2) that missed high and outside, capping Los Angeles' third straight comeback win.

"I know Yasmani can conduct an at-bat, hit a gap, even draw a walk" Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "He's not hitting great right now, but I know he can get on base. I liked our chances."

Adrian Gonzalez started the ninth-inning rally with a one-out single to centre before moving to second on Trayce Thompson's single to right. Howie Kendrick later walked to load the bases.

Hernandez pulled the Dodgers to 1-1 with his first career pinch-hit home run with one out in the eighth, drilling a 2-1 pitch from reliever Will Smith into the left-field bleachers.

"(Kike) came up in a big spot, us down one, and hit a huge home run for us," said Justin Turner, a key player in the Dodgers' two previous victories.

Kenley Jansen (3-2) pitched a scoreless ninth, and the Dodgers won for the sixth time in seven games.

Maeda (6-5) gave up one run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings, with eight strikeouts and three walks.

Matt Garza threw six scoreless innings for Milwaukee in his second start this season after recovering from a back injury. Garza only threw 70 pitches and held the Dodgers to five hits. He's allowed one run in 10 innings this year.

The winning rally nearly ended when catcher Martin Maldonado almost picked off Van Slyke at second after Joc Pederson struck out for the inning's second out.

The Brewers nursed a 1-0 lead through seven innings with Garza and Blaine Boyer holding the Dodgers to five hits.

Hot-hitting Scooter Gennett got his sixth home run of the season in the first.

Maeda made his first start since being helped from the field Tuesday night after being hit on the right leg by a comebacker.

Corey Seager added two hits, a double and a single, for the Dodgers, who won three of four from the Brewers.

Ryan Braun added two hits for the Brewers, a double in the third and a single that fell between three Dodgers in short centre field. Braun was thrown out by left fielder Kendrick trying to stretch his second hit into a double.

BLOOPER MATERIAL

Garza's throwing error in the third inning is likely to land on some blooper reels. Garza thought about barehanding a comebacker by Maeda only to have the ball bounce off his shin. He retrieved it at the edge of the mound with plenty of time but inexplicably threw a two-hopper to first baseman Chris Carter six feet wide of the bag.

FATHER'S DAY FESTIVITIES

Brewers manager Craig Counsell is a father of four, and his father, John, was an outfielder in the Twins organization (1964-68).

"The best part for me today already was I met Aaron Hill's father down in the lobby, and talked to Matt Garza's father in the lobby," Counsell said. "They're proud dads today. They're as excited as anybody to come to the park and watch their sons play in a major league baseball game. It brings you closer to home.

"My dad is watching my boys play baseball today, and that's how it should be."

BULLPEN RELIEF

The Dodgers optioned RHP Mike Bolsinger to Triple-A Oklahoma City and replaced him with RHP Carlos Frias, who will give the Dodgers a nine-man bullpen.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Brewers: LHP Chris Capuano flew to Milwaukee with more discomfort in his left elbow. He's expected to be examined by Dr. William Rasch on Tuesday. C Jonathan Lucroy got a routine day off after seven consecutive starts.

Dodgers: C Grandal was replaced in the lineup by A.J. Ellis. Trainers twice came to home plate to check on Grandal after he was struck by a pitch Saturday night. ... Yasiel Puig (strained hamstring) went 1 for 4 with a single in seven innings for Class A Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday night. Puig will get a day off Sunday and is expected to be activated on Monday.

NEXT UP

Brewers: They begin a two-game series at Oakland on Tuesday night, the eighth game in a nine-game, 10-day road trip. RHP Jimmy Nelson (5-6, 3.92) makes his first start against the A's. Nelson is 0-3 with 9.69 ERA over his last three starts, raising his ERA from 2.88 to 3.92.

Dodgers: They open a three-game series vs. Washington. LHP Clayton Kershaw (10-1, 1.58) faces RHP Stephen Strasburg (10-0, 2.90) in a matchup of aces on Monday night. In his last seven starts against Washington, Kershaw is 7-0 with an 0.82 ERA