Venezuelan Jose Peraza Makes Lasting Impression On Dodgers in 5-2 Victory [VIDEO]

LOS ANGELES – Rookie Jose Peraza made a lasting impression on Los Angeles fans on Saturday as the Dodgers rallied from behind with a four-run inning to defeat the Chicago Cubs 5-2 at Dodger Stadium.

Peraza stole two bases, scored two runs, and knocked in his first career RBI with a double in the seventh inning.

Andre Ethier knocked in the go-ahead runs with a two-run single that capped off the comeback and the Dodgers won their fifth consecutive game, increasing their lead over the Giants in the NL West to 3.5 games.

The Dodgers struggled for six innings against Cubs ace Jon Lester, but finally broke through in the seventh with a string of four consecutive hits.

"Balls were finding holes," Lester said of the seventh. "They were either hit a little too hard or a little too soft. The good thing is, I don't have to go back to the drawing board. My stuff was there."

Lester (8-10) allowed five runs on eight hits in six innings of work.

Mat Latos took the mound for the first time in 16 days as the big right-hander who was acquired from the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline was demoted to the bullpen over the past two weeks.

"It was pretty tough not throwing for so long," Latos said of the layoff. "To be able to throw against a team like that, that's won 21 out of 25, you definitely have to have you’re A game."

Latos kept the Dodgers in the game, but allowed the go-ahead run to cross the plate in the fifth inning by way of a balk. It was Latos fifth career balk, and one of the last plays he made on the night.

"It was questionable call. I think they got it wrong," Latos said of the balk. "I didn't want us to lose the game because of something like that, and I'm glad it didn't cost us the ballgame."

All in all, Latos was efficient in his return, allowing two runs on four hits in 4.2 innings.

Five different Dodgers' relievers pitched 4.1 scoreless innings as J.P. Howell (5-1) earned the win and closer Kenley Jansen shut the door in the ninth for his 27^th save of the season.