Don Mattingly keeps it in perspective following fatal stabbing

SAN FRANCISCO — In the hours leading up to the Dodgers’ 3-2 defeat to the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, Manager Don Mattingly reminded his team’s supporters that baseball was a game and nothing more.

Like many of his players, Mattingly woke up to news that a Dodgers fan was fatally stabbed near AT&T Park on Wednesday night.

“It’s a game, you know?� Mattingly said. “Leave it on the field.�

The Dodgers and Giants observed a moment of silence before their game, which was decided on an eighth-inning solo home run by Angel Pagan.

BOX SCORE: Giants 3, Dodgers 2

Serving up the line-drive shot was Paco Rodriguez, one of the team’s most frequently used relievers this season. Wanting to recharge Rodriguez’s left arm before the playoffs, Mattingly held the rookie out of the previous six games.

The game might have been the last in a Giants uniform for two-time Cy Young Award winner and impending free agent Tim Lincecum, who walked off the mound to a standing ovation after the seventh inning. Lincecum limited the Dodgers to two runs and eight hits.

Dodgers starter Edinson Volquez pitched relatively well, as he was charged with two runs and four hits in five innings.

Proceeding with caution

Andre Ethier isn’t expected to play again before the end of the regular season, according to Mattingly.

That doesn’t mean Ethier has been ruled out for the National League division series.

Ethier, who is recovering from shin splints on his left leg, won’t be cleared to play until he can run at full speed. Mattingly said the Dodgers will wait as long as possible to have Ethier run the bases, perhaps even after the Dodgers’ regular-season finale Sunday.

Final tuneups

Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke will make their final regular-season starts over the next two days and Mattingly said he doesn’t plan to limit their pitch counts since they will be pitching on five days’ rest. Kershaw will start the Dodgers’ series opener against the Colorado Rockies on Friday; Greinke will pitch Saturday.

Hyun-Jin Ryu will have a shorter leash in the Dodgers’ regular-season finale Sunday, as he will be starting on regular four days’ rest.

Honor for Kershaw

Kershaw was voted by the Dodgers players and coaches as the winner of the Roy Campanella Award, given to the player who “best exemplifies the spirit and leadership� of Campanella. Kershaw will be presented with a trophy on Saturday night.

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Twitter: @dylanohernandez