Hanley Ramirez walk-off single lifts Dodgers past the Cubs, 7-6

Hanley Ramirez hit a walk-off, run-scoring single in the ninth inning to lift the Dodgers past the Chicago Cubs, 7-6, on Sunday afternoon, giving the Dodgers a sweep of the three-game series.

Ramirez’s hit off Cubs reliever Shawn Camp scored Matt Kemp from third base.

The Dodgers went into the ninth inning with a 6-5 lead and their closer, Kenley Jansen, on the mound at Dodger Stadium.

But on Jansen’s second pitch, the Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo belted a home run into Chicago’s bullpen in right field to get the Cubs even.

It was a tough day for both teams’ bullpens that made the game a see-saw battle.

The Dodgers had taken the 6-5 lead in the seventh inning when Andre Ethier doubled off Cubs reliever James Russell to drive in Mark Ellis and Kemp.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Cubs jumped ahead 5-4 on Alfonso Soriano’s two-run double off Dodgers reliever Javy Guerra.

And in the sixth inning, Dodgers had taken 4-2 lead when they loaded the bases without a hit and Luis Cruz followed with a two-run single off Cubs reliever Scott Maine.

Starting pitcher Joe Blanton, making his Dodgers debut after being traded from the Philadelphia Phillies, gave up two runs in six innings of work but did not have a decision in the game.

Cubs starter Justin Germano, a journeyman pitcher and Pasadena native making his second start for Chicago, gave up two runs and three hits in 5 1/3 innings of work.

Since San Francisco also won, the Dodgers remain 1/2 game behind the first-place Giants in the National League West.