Max Muncy hit a three-run home run in an eight-run second inning and the resurgent Los Angeles Dodgers closed out a 9-6 victory over the visiting Miami Marlins on Friday in the opener of a three-game series.

Clayton Kershaw added an RBI single in the second and gave mixed messages on the mound, allowing five runs over six innings while striking out a season-high 11. Los Angeles won its third consecutive game after a 2-8 road trip that capped a run of 15 defeats in 20 contests.

Adam Duvall hit a three-run home run for the Marlins, but Sandy Alcantara (1-3) matched a career worst by giving up eight runs. The right-hander went only 1 1/3 innings, the shortest start in his five major league seasons.

The Dodgers' big inning also featured an RBI single from AJ Pollock, an RBI double off the top of the wall from Austin Barnes and run-scoring hits from Mookie Betts and Corey Seager.

Muncy's home run was his eighth of the season and third in three games.

All was not completely positive in the inning as Pollock left the game after aggravating a left hamstring strain while running the bases on Barnes' double. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said postgame that Pollock likely is headed to the injured list.

The Marlins answered quickly off Kershaw (6-3) in the third with a bloop RBI single from Garrett Cooper and Duvall's seventh home run of the season. The Marlins cut the deficit to 8-5 in the fifth inning on another RBI from Cooper, this one on a double.

The Dodgers loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh but scored just once for a 9-5 advantage on a throwing error by Marlins left-hander Ross Detwiler.

The Marlins loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth and scored when Sandy Leon was hit by a pitch.

Kershaw gave up six hits and one walk. The 11 strikeouts were his most Aug. 20, 2020, against the Seattle Mariners. His 105 pitches were his most since throwing the same amount Sept. 13, 2019, against the New York Mets.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen pitched a perfect ninth inning for his seventh save in nine chances.

--Field Level Media