SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Brandon McCarthy is in the mix for bullpen spot for the NL West champion Dodgers in the playoffs — even after his awful outing in a rare relief appearance. Taking over for Rich Hill, McCarthy surrendered six runs and five hits, failing to record an out in the Giants' big sixth inning as the Dodgers lost 9-3. [...] the situation where we're at and the guys that we really need to get ready for the postseason, for him to take the ball in that capacity out of the pen says a lot about his character. Pinch-hitter Conor Gillaspie started things in the sixth with a go-ahead two-run double, and pinch-hitter Denard Span's RBI single chased McCarthy (2-3) before he retired a batter. Madison Bumgarner lined a key two-run double that inning and emphatically pumped his arms while yelling in celebration at second base, and the Giants maintained their slim lead for the second NL wild card. Brandon Belt added a three-run homer in the seven-run inning and Bumgarner (15-9) beat the Dodgers for the first time in seven starts since May 21, 2015. Bumgarner stopped a four-start winless stretch, allowing three runs and eight hits in 7 1/3 innings. Carlos Ruiz followed with an RBI single for a 2-0 lead. The Giants got it right back in the bottom half, on Posey's RBI single and a sacrifice fly by Pagan.