As he gathered himself at first base, Matt Kemp clapped his hands together and pointed skyward. He had reason to feel gratitude in the seventh inning of a 4-2 Dodgers victory over the Athletics. His cue-shot, opposite-field RBI single was only his second hit since July 24, a desert stretch which agonized Kemp and robbed the Dodgers of one of their most effective first-half hitters.
Kemp did not announce his presence with full authority on Tuesday, but he did contribute that hit and a walk as the Dodgers (63-51) returned to first place in the National League West.