Many happy returns as Dodgers close in on NL West title
PHOENIX — The next time the Dodgers walk off the field, they could do so as division champions.
With Matt Kemp and Hanley Ramirez back in their lineup Tuesday night, the Dodgers trounced the Arizona Diamondbacks, 9-3, and reduced their magic number to win the National League West to two.
Another win at Chase Field over the second-place Diamondbacks and the division title will belong to the Dodgers, who last reached the playoffs in 2009.
The victory Tuesday told the story of the season.
BOX SCORE: Dodgers 9, Diamondbacks 3
When the Dodgers are healthy, they’re as dangerous as any team in baseball. When they’re not, they’re the type of team that can lose nine of 12 games, as they did leading into this game.
Kemp, who was reinstated from the disabled list the previous day, was four for four with two doubles and three runs batted in. Ramirez, who was sidelined for the last four days with an irritated nerve in his back, was one for two with three walks and three runs scored.
“Get guys back in the lineup, we score runs,” first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said. “We’ve got a really deep lineup. When guys are out there, it makes it easier on all of us.”
Gonzalez and Juan Uribe hit two-hit home runs, turning this game into a nightmare for Diamondbacks starter Patrick Corbin.
Corbin (14-7) had what was by far the worst start of his otherwise spectacular season, as he was charged with six runs and seven hits in two-plus innings.
The Dodgers scored four runs in the first inning and two more in the third. Corbin was removed in the third inning after Kemp doubled for the second time in as many at-bats.
The Dodgers extended their lead to 8-0 in the fourth inning, as Mark Ellis singled in Zack Greinke and later scored himself on a hit by Kemp.
“It feels good to get a win, but more than anything, it’s good to see guys out there,” Manager Don Mattingly said. “Hanley’s timing is ridiculous. He hasn’t played in like six days and he’s right on it.”
The early eight-run cushion was more than enough for Greinke (15-3), who gave up two runs and six hits in six innings to win his seventh consecutive decision.
The lopsided score presented Mattingly with the opportunity to rest some players.
Gonzalez was replaced by Michael Young at first base in the bottom of the sixth inning. Kemp was removed from the game after he ran from first to third on a seventh-inning double by Uribe. Ramirez exited after scoring on Young’s triple in the eighth.
Come Wednesday, the Dodgers could be even closer to full strength.
While Andre Ethier remains sidelined indefinitely with a troublesome ankle, Carl Crawford could be back in the lineup.
Crawford has missed the last three games with a sore back, but Mattingly said he has resumed throwing and hitting. “We’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” Mattingly said.
Ronald Belisario and Paco Rodriguez both made their 73rd appearances of the season in the eighth inning, moving them into a tie for the most baseball.
Belisario gave up a run, and over his last eight games, his earned-run average has increased from 3.16 to 3.46.
Kenley Jansen, someone who needed the work, pitched the ninth, his first outing since Thursday.
Twitter: @dylanohernandez
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