The Los Angeles Dodgers began the final leg of their road trip with a return to Chase Field, where their 2023 season ended in the National League Division Series, and picked up some revenge with a series opening 8-4 win.
The Dodgers downplayed the significance of returning to Arizona following the NLDS sweep last season and just wanted to continue playing good baseball after going 5-1 in their first six games on the current trip.
Most of the Dodgers’ offense came over two innings, which included a two-run second and four-run fifth.
In the second, Kiké Hernández doubled home Teoscar Hernández, who reached on a single and moved into scoring position when Max Muncy was hit by a pitch. Andy Pages then hit a sacrifice fly to put the Dodgers up 2-1, allowing Muncy to score.
In the fifth, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith all walked to load the bases, and Teoscar Hernández came through with a double to drive in two runs, giving the Dodgers a 4-1 lead.
After another walk to Kiké Hernández loaded the bases once again, Andy Pages continued his hot hitting with a double to drive in another two runs. It was Pages’ fifth double of the season as he’s now hitting .304 with an .863 on-base plus slugging to begin his career.
Smith ended up hitting his third home run of the season in the sixth to extend the Dodgers’ lead to 7-4. Although he has not had his home run swing to begin the year, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has appreciated the quality at-bats in the middle of the lineup.
The Dodgers added again in the eighth when Miguel Rojas doubled and Ohtani drove him in with a single after a walk from Betts.
The Dodgers did not have a strikeout on offense all night. It’s the first time they’ve had a game without striking out since August 28, 2006.
James Paxton’s issues with Dodgers continue
James Paxton made the start, and his walk problems continued as he allowed five free passes, while giving up six hits, over five innings. He has mostly been able to pitch out of jams this year, but he ended up allowing four runs over his start.
Paxton walked the first hitter he faced, who came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Christian Walker, that gave the Diamondbacks a 1-0 lead.
He ended up three scoreless innings following that, but things started to unravel in the fifth.
Blaze Alexander walked again before Lourdes Gurriel Jr. doubled, and that was followed by the second walk of the inning as Paxton issued a free pass to Walker.
Eugenio Suárez singled to drive in a run, and another run crossed on a wild pitch. Randal Grichuk then drove in the final run of the inning with a sac fly to cut the Dodgers lead to two runs.
Paxton finished his day allowing four runs.
Following Paxton, Daniel Hudson, Joe Kelly and Alex Vesia each pitched a scoreless inning before Evan Phillips entered for the save and shut the door.
