Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The bat flies out of the hands of the Seattle Mariners’ Randy Arozarena during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The bat flies out of the hands of the Seattle Mariners’ Randy Arozarena during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Seattle Mariners’ Jorge Polanco hits a two-run single during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais, left, and Austin Voth, right, greet Cal Raleigh (29) and Luke Raley (20) as they return to the dugout after scoring during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler walks off the mound after the top of the first inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts to a high pitch during the first inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani strikes out during the first inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts reacts after being called out on strikes by home plate umpire CB Bucknor during the first inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman gestures on second base after hitting a double during the first inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani eats sunflower seeds in the dugout during the first inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Seattle Mariners’ Jorge Polanco hits an RBI double during the third inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh is greeted in the dugout after scoring on a double by Jorge Polanco during the third inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after hitting a foul ball during the third inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a triple during the third inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a triple during the third inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani takes a lead off of third base after hitting a triple during the third inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Dodgers’ Gavin Lux, left, is showered with sunflower seeds by teammate Teoscar Hernandez as he returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts talks with umpire Dan Iassogna during the fourth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy gestures as he crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy, left, is congratulated by teammate Teoscar Hernandez as he returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy, left, is congratulated by teammate Teoscar Hernandez as he returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. Muncy’s blast got the Dodgers within 3-2 and they went on to win, 6-3. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Seattle Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez tosses his bat after hitting a single during the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Seattle Mariners’ Justin Turner, a longtime Dodger, acknowledges the crowd during his pinch-hit at-bat during the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Dodgers’ Tommy Edmand celebrates in the dugout after scoring the tying run on a double by Mookie Betts during the seventh inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts, right, is tagged out at home by Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh during the seventh inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts, right, is tagged out at home by Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh during the seventh inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts yells at home plate umpire CB Buckner after a called third strike during the eighth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts yells at home plate umpire CB Buckner after a called third strike during the eighth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward hits a tie-breaking, pinch-hit three-run home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won, 6-3. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward watches the flight of his tie-breaking, pinch-hit three-run home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won, 6-3. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward watches the flight of his tie-breaking, pinch-hit three-run home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won, 6-3. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward watches the flight of his tie-breaking, pinch-hit three-run home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won, 6-3. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward watches the flight of his tie-breaking, pinch-hit three-run home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won, 6-3. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Andres Munoz reacts after giving up a tie-breaking, pinch-hit three-run home run to the Dodgers’ Jason Heyward during the eighth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward runs the bases after hitting a tie-breaking, pinch-hit three-run home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward, left, is congratulated by Manager Dave Roberts as he returns to the dugout after hitting a tie-breaking, pinch-hit three-run home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward is showered with sunflower seeds as he returns to the dugout after hitting a tie-breaking, pinch-hit three-run home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward, left, is congratulated by teammates Teoscar Hernandez and Miguel Rojas, right, as he returns to the dugout after hitting a tie-breaking, pinch-hit three-run home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward, back center, is congratulated by teammates as he returns to the dugout after hitting a tie-breaking, pinch-hit three-run home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after hitting a foul ball during the eighth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani begins to run after hitting a single during the eighth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers relief pitcher Daniel Hudson throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Daniel Hudson, left, tags the Seattle Mariners’ Leo Rivas out at home plate as he tries to score on a passed ball during the ninth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers relief pitcher Daniel Hudson, left, tags the Seattle Mariners’ Leo Rivas out at home plate as he tries to score on a passed ball during the ninth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers relief pitcher Daniel Hudson, right, tags the Seattle Mariners’ Leo Rivas out at home plate as he tries to score on a passed ball during the ninth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Dodgers relief pitcher Daniel Hudson, center, tags the Seattle Mariners’ Leo Rivas for an out at home plate, as he tried to score on a wild pitch during the ninth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
LOS ANGELES — Jason Heyward showed his worth on Tuesday night. Whether he’ll get many more chances with the Dodgers remains to be seen.
Heyward blasted a tie-breaking, pinch-hit three-run homer in the eighth inning to lift the Dodgers to a 6-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners in the second game of their three-game series at Dodger Stadium.
“To be a part of the reward for our group is really cool,” Heyward said.
Heyward came into the game hitting .203 and the career .256 hitter seemed in danger of losing his roster spot when utility player Chris Taylor comes off the injured list in the coming days. Even with his key home run on Tuesday, the 35-year-old veteran isn’t guaranteed to have a clubhouse locker next week.
“I know (Taylor) is coming back and, obviously, he’s a part of what we’ve done and what we’re doing this year and next year so, yeah, this is the tough part of the job,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s a good thing that we have a lot of good players, but you only have so many spots.”
Seattle reliever Andres Muñoz (2-5) got the first out of the eighth, but then hit Will Smith with an 0-and-2 pitch and walked Max Muncy on four pitches. He struck out Tommy Edman, but then left a 2-and-1 fastball over the plate and Heyward belted it into the seats in right field for the 6-3 lead.
“I truly believe the game honors you, and the game honored him tonight,” Roberts said. “That was probably the highlight, for me, of the season.”
Gavin Lux and Muncy homered in the same inning for the second consecutive game for the Dodgers (75-52), who have won five straight at home and eight in a row against the Mariners.
The victory kept the Dodgers three games ahead of the San Diego Padres and four in front of the Arizona Diamondbacks for first place in the National League West.
“We need to win baseball games, that’s just the way it is,” Roberts said. “I’m doing the best I can to put guys in the best position to win a game.”
Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler lasted just four innings in his second start since returning from a two-month absence with a right hip injury. Buehler allowed three runs and seven hits, striking out one and walking three on 82 pitches.
“I don’t want to sound too optimistic about it, just because of the results, but I came out of that one feeling pretty good about where I’m at and what we’ve done this week in terms of delivery,” Buehler said. “I’ve been saying, ‘I’ve got to perform, I’ve got to perform,’ but I feel like I can actually perform now.”
Dodgers relievers Alex Vesia, Ryan Brasier, Anthony Banda, Joe Kelly (1-0) and Daniel Hudson combined to blank the Mariners over the final five innings.
Seattle starter Bryce Miller also went four innings, allowing two runs and five hits. He struck out five and walked two.
Jorge Polanco drove in all three runs for the Mariners (64-63), who have lost seven of eight to strain their own playoff hopes.
Dodgers starting pitchers had not allowed an earned run in the previous two games, but Buehler surrendered two in the first.
He recorded the first two outs on just three pitches before Cal Raleigh rolled an opposite-field double down the third-base line.
Buehler then issued back-to-back walks to Luke Raley and Randy Arozarena to load the bases, bringing Polanco to the plate and he lined a single through the hole on the right side, scoring two runs.
Seattle put its first two runners on base in the third and Polanco came through again, lining an RBI single up the middle with one out to stretch the lead to 3-0.
“Even in the first inning, he gets a couple quick outs and then he’s got two walks,” Roberts said. “I just didn’t like the Polanco sequence. I thought he had him with spin and he tried to come in hard with him, and I thought that was the one pitch you don’t want to do.”
Lux drove a ball to center in the fourth inning and it cleared the fence, despite a leaping attempt by center fielder Julio Rodríguez. The ball rolled back onto the warning track through a hole in the bottom of the fence, briefly causing Lux to stop at third, but it was quickly ruled a home run, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
Lux has eight home runs in the past 34 games.
“He just keeps having big hits and playing great defense,” Roberts said.
One out later, Muncy also homered for the second straight game, further trimming the lead to 3-2.
The Dodgers tied it at 3-all in the seventh.
Edman, who was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-way trade on July 29 and made his Dodgers debut on Monday, doubled into the right-center field gap to start the inning. Two outs later, Mookie Betts pulled a double that landed on the left-field line, scoring Edman with the tying run.
Teoscar Hernandez followed with a single to right, but Betts was thrown out at the plate on a close play to end the inning.
Edman played shortstop in his second game with the Dodgers and he made the defensive play of the night with a diving backhand stop of Arozarena with one out in the fifth. He quickly got to his feet and threw Arozarena out by two steps.
