Dodgers’ Zack Greinke dominates in 6-1 win over Diamondbacks
PHOENIX — Zack Greinke didn’t throw at or taunt any of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He didn’t have to.
Greinke was civil in exacting revenge against the team that threw at him last month, shutting down the Diamondbacks and leading the Dodgers to their 13th win in 16 games, a 6-1 victory Monday at Chase Field.
“I think the best way to get payback is to do what he did,” first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said.
BOX SCORE: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks
Asked if he pitched with heightened emotions because of what happened in his previous encounter against this team, Greinke acknowledged, “Might want to win a little more. But that’s also because they’re in first place.”
Limiting the Diamondbacks to two hits over seven scoreless innings, Greinke (7-2) reduced their lead over the Dodgers in the National League West to 31/2 games.
The last time Greinke faced the Diamondbacks, a violent brawl broke out at Dodger Stadium. Ian Kennedy hit Yasiel Puig in the face, which led to Greinke’s hitting Miguel Montero in the back, which led to Kennedy’s nearly hitting Greinke in the head. Benches cleared, punches were thrown, suspensions and fines were issued.
Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly said before this game that he didn’t anticipate a continuation of the June 11 ruckus.
“We can’t afford to be missing players and they can’t afford to be missing players,” Mattingly said.
Then again, it could be that vigilante justice was simply deferred. Kennedy, who is the subject of widespread contempt in the Dodgers’ clubhouse, will start Tuesday. If the Dodgers decide to do something to him, the task could fall to newcomer Ricky Nolasco, who will be starting for the first time for them.
Nolasco said he was informed of the history between the teams but added, “I’m here to get people out.”
Greinke no-hit the Diamondbacks for the first three innings. Immediately after he gave up his first hit, to All-Star Paul Goldschmidt in the fourth inning, he forced Eric Chavez to ground into a double play.
“That’s kind of the guy we expected,” Mattingly said, recalling the Dodgers’ thoughts when they signed Greinke to a six-year, $147-million contract over the winter.
Mattingly pointed out that Greinke had a minor elbow injury near the end of spring training and broke his collarbone in a brawl against the San Diego Padres in his second start of the season. “He’s really been behind it the whole time,” Mattingly said.
Greinke wasn’t particularly receptive to the theory, noting that even though he won his previous start, he was pounded for five runs in five innings in Colorado.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers gradually broke down the Diamondbacks’ 23-year-old starter, Randall Delgado, and finished with 17 hits to match a season high.
Hanley Ramirez extended his career-long hitting streak to 19 games with a single to center in the fourth inning. He moved up on a hit by Andre Ethier and scored on a two-out single by Juan Uribe.
Greinke started the Dodgers’ rally in the fifth inning, leading off with the first of his three hits.
Gonzalez and Ramirez had run-scoring singles to make it 3-0.
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