Dan Haren, Matt Kemp help Dodgers beat Diamondbacks, 2-1

AT THE PLATE: The Dodgers loaded the bases in the first inning, but failed to score. They went ahead, 1-0, in the second when Hanley Ramirez drove in A.J. Ellis with a single to right field. Matt Kemp made it 2-0 in the third with an opposite-field home run off Vidal Nuno. The homer was Kemp’s 18th.

ON THE MOUND: Dan Haren limited the Diamondbacks to a run and four hits over six innings. The victory was Haren’s fourth in his last five decisions. The right-hander has now pitched 162 innings this season. With 18 more innings, the $10-million team option for next season will become a player option, meaning the decision of whether he returns will be Haren’s. Pedro Baez pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings to lower his earned-run average to 1.56. Kenley Jansen saved his 40th game.

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE: Former All-Star pitcher Dave Stewart is a candidate to become the Arizona Diamondbacks’ next general manager and Matt Kemp has mixed feelings about that. Stewart is Kemp’s agent. “If that were to happen, he wouldn’t be my agent any more,� Kemp said. “I would be disappointed about that, but then again, if it’s something he wants to do, I’ll be supportive.� Arizona fired Kevin Towers on Thursday night. Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa has named Stewart among the candidates to replace Towers.

MEDICAL REPORT: For the first time, Josh Beckett publicly acknowledged he won’t pitch again this season. Beckett, 34, said he is contemplating whether to retire. He has a torn labrum in his left hip that will require surgery if he wants to pitch again. He will be a free agent this winter. “Those are decisions that I don’t know if they’ll be made before Christmas,� Beckett said. “It may be the day after the season, it may be January. I certainly have plans if I decide not to play next year. I’ll just leave it at that now.�

EXTRA BASES: Scott Van Slyke and his wife, Audrey, welcomed their second son, Eli, on Thursday morning Two of the Dodgers’ minor league affiliates are in the playoffs: double-A Chattanooga and rookie-advanced Ogden.

UP NEXT: Hyun-Jin Ryu (14-6, 3.18 earned-run average) will face Chase Anderson (8-6, 3.75) and the Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on Saturday at 6 p.m. On the air: SportsNet LA. Radio: 570, 1020.