Final: Dodgers sweep double-header with 12-3 win
The Dodgers swept the double-header with a dominant 12-3 win over the Diamondbacks in the nightcap, setting a new season high for runs in the process.
They are now 24-12 and have won four-straight games.
Trea Turner finished the night two for four with four RBIs. Freddie Freeman had three doubles and three RBIs. Edwin Ríos hit a three-run homer in his first game as the cleanup hitter. Gavin Lux had two hits and two RBIs. And Tyler Anderson bounced back from two first-inning home runs to complete a seven-inning, two-run start.
The game was so out of hand by the ninth inning that infielder Hanser Alberto pitched the final frame, giving up one run but getting the final three outs.
Final: Dodgers 12, D-backs 3
Rout is on after Dodgers extend lead in the sixth
The Dodger took another whack at the piñata in the sixth inning, knocking around Diamondbacks reliever (and former Dodgers right-hander) Edwin Uceta for three more runs.
Austin Barnes and Gavin Lux led off the inning with singles. Mookie Betts drew a walk to load the bases. Then Freddie Freeman dropped a two-run ground-rule double just inside the left-field line, giving the Dodgers their third fourth game with double-digit runs this season.
The battering didn’t end there, as Trea Turner drove in a run on a ground ball to short and reached safely after a throw to first was high.
Dodgers starter Tyler Anderson, meanwhile, has found a groove since, blanking the Diamondbacks since the back-to-back home runs in the first inning.
End 6th: Dodgers lead 11-2
Dodgers open up big lead with six-run second inning
Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly came into the game with a 1.71 ERA in his first seven starts.
Through two innings against the Dodgers tonight, it has almost doubled.
After scoring two runs in the first inning, the Dodgers hung six more on the board in the second, after Gavin Lux hit a two-run double to left, Trea Turner scorched an RBI single into right and Edwin Ríos launched a three-run homer to left-center.
End 2nd: Dodgers lead 8-2
Dbacks take early lead in Game 2, before Dodgers immediately tie it up
For the eighth straight game, the Dodgers opponent scored the first two runs of the game.
This time, they came quickly, with Jordan Luplow and Christian Walker hitting back-to-back two out home runs in the first inning against Tyler Anderson to gave the Diamondbacks a 2-0 lead.
Anderson has now allowed six home runs this season, trailing only Julio Urías (who has pitched nine more innings) for most on the team.
The Dodgers, however, leveled the score immediately. In the bottom of the first, Mookie Betts walked, Freddie Freeman doubled and Trea Turner drove them both home with an RBI single (he was thrown out trying to reach second).
Turner is now tied with teammate Justin Turner for most RBIs on the team with 25. They are tied for 10th most RBIs in the majors.
End 1st: Tied 2-2
‘Making work fun’: Mookie Betts extends tear as Dodgers win doubleheader opener
Before Game 2 of today’s double-header gets underway, catch up with what happened in this afternoon’s win.
Spoiler alert: Mookie Betts continued his recent tear.
“He’s playing a game and not going to ‘work’ every day,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I think that mindset just takes [off] a little bit of the added anxiety or pressure or stress. I believe that, and it certainly manifested in his performance.”
Dodgers Game 2 lineup: Tyler Anderson on the mound, Edwin Ríos batting cleanup
For the first time this season, Edwin Ríos will bat cleanup for the Dodgers as they go for a double-header sweep — and series win — against the Diamondbacks.
Ríos is one of several changes the Dodgers made from their Game 1 earlier today. Austin Barnes replaces Will Smith behind the plate. Gavin Lux enters the lineup at second base. Justin Turner and Hanser Alberto are now on the bench.
Tyler Anderson will be on the mound for the Dodgers in the night cap. He is 3-0 with a 4.40 ERA, but is coming off a six-inning, seven-run outing against the Phillies last week.
Here’s the Dodgers full lineup:
Dodgers win 7-6 in Game 1 of double-header
The Dodgers rode a three-hit performance from Mookie Betts and four home run outburst from their lineup to a 7-6 win in Game 1 of today’s double-header.
The three home runs in the sixth inning from Betts, Trea Turner and Justin Turner proved to be the difference, helping the Dodgers overcome an early-three deficit.
The Dodgers bullpen made the lead stand up, capped by Craig Kimbrel’s seventh save of the season in the ninth inning — when the D-backs scored only one run and manager Dave Roberts was ejected arguing a check swing.
The two teams will be back at it at 7:10 p.m. for Game 2.
Final: Dodgers 7, Dbacks 6
Freddie Freeman gets an RBI, but Dbacks trim lead
Some shaky pitching from Mitch White and poor defense from Hanser Alberto allowed the Diamondbacks to trim the Dodgers lead in the seventh inning.
Making his first appearance since returning from the COVID-19 list, White gave up a solo home run to Alek Thomas before issuing a two-out walk to Jake Hager, the Diamondbacks’ No. 9 hitter.
In the next at-bat, Daulton Varsho hit a ground ball to Alberto at second base. He fielded the ball cleanly, but tried to flip a throw with his glove to second base. It was off target, extending the inning.
After Alex Vesia came into the game to face pinch-hitter Ketel Marte, the ball found Alberto again. Marte smoked a one-hopper up the middle toward the shifted second baseman. He couldn’t handle it, allowing an RBI single to sneak into the outfield.
Vesia limited the damage there by striking out Jordan Luplow, then the Dodgers got one of the runs back in the bottom of the inning after Mookie Betts doubled and scored on Freddie Freeman’s RBI single.
End 7th: Dodgers 7, Dbacks 5
Dodgers surge in front with three home runs in the sixth inning
After managing just one run off D-backs starter Tyler Gilbert in the first five innings, the Dodgers bats roared to life in the sixth.
After Hanser Alberto lined a leadoff single to left, Mookie Betts cranked a game-tying two-run homer to left in the next at-bat.
It was his eighth home run of the season, and sixth in his last 17 games.
The Dodgers weren’t done either.
Trea Turner broke the 3-3 tie with a solo home run two at-bats later. Then, after a Max Muncy walk, Justin Turner extended the lead with a two-run blast.
The Dodgers have now matched their season-high with four home runs today.
End 6th: Dodgers 6, D-backs 3
Will Smith hits solo home run; Ryan Pepiot exits after four innings
Ryan Pepiot bounced back from the three-spot in the third inning by retiring the side in order in the fourth, picking up his fifth and final strikeout in the inning before being replaced after 87 pitches.
While Pepiot finished his day charged with three runs, he still looked sharper than against the Diamondbacks than he did in his debut last week. His command was more consistent. He used the slider more effectively. And he got an inning deeper into the game.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, got on the board in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a solo home run by Will Smith, his third of the season and first this month.
End 4th: D-backs 3, Dodgers 1
Ryan Pepiot gives up first career runs as D-backs take early lead
Like he did in his debut last week, Ryan Pepiot created trouble for himself in the first inning before getting out of it, stranding a couple leadoff walks with two strikeouts and a groundout.
In the third inning, however, the Dodgers rookie wasn’t so lucky.
After getting two quick outs, Pepiot walked Josh Rojas. After a passed ball against catcher Will Smith, Pavin Smith shot an RBI single to right.
Christian Walker then dropped the hammer blow, crushing an elevated fastball that bled over the middle of the plate for a two-run homer to left-center. It was Walker’s second home run of the series, and the 13th of his career against the Dodgers (his most against any one team).
Pepiot has thrown 70 pitches through three innings.
Mid 3rd: D-backs 3, Dodgers 3
Tommy Kahnle goes on IL with with right forearm inflammation; Mitch White, Justin Bruihl, David Price all returning
Dodgers reliever Tommy Kahnle was placed on the injured list priot to Tuesday’s double-header with right forearm inflammation, the team announced.
Kahnle, 32, had only made four outings this season with a 6.75 ERA after opening the year on the IL while finishing his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He last appeared on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies, walking two batters in a scoreless inning.
Kahnle’s injury is the latest blow to a bullpen that has also lost Blake Treinen to a shoulder injury. Treinen was transferred to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
In corresponding moves Tuesday, Caleb Ferguson was optioned after returning to the mound Monday for the first time in two years following his own Tommy John surgery.
Mitch White, meanwhile, was activated from the COVID-19 list. Justin Bruihl was also recalled from triple A.
Manager Dave Roberts also said David Price will be activated for the Dodgers second game Tuesday. Price has been out since April 24, when he tested positive for COVID-19.
Ryan Pepiot to start Game 1; Clayton Kershaw still feeling pain
Less than a week after his MLB debut, Ryan Pepiot is back with the Dodgers to start Game 1 of Tuesday’s double-header against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Pepiot pitched three scoreless innings in his first big-league game last week against the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving up one hit and striking out three batters despite walking five.
“The emotions [in his debut] kind of led to the hand not catching up in the delivery, because there was a lot of arm-side miss,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “That’s typically what happens. I think it’ll slow down a little bit for him today and I think you’ll see a grade better command with his entire pitch mix.”
Pepiot was called up Tuesday as the club’s extra player for the double-header. Tyler Anderson will start the second game.
Read more here on how Pepiot, the club’s No. 2 pitching prospect according to MLB Pipeline, overcame struggles in the minors last year to propel himself to the big leagues.
Here’s the Dodgers full lineup for Game 1:
Clayton Kershaw still feeling pain
Injured starter Clayton Kershaw is unlikely to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday as originally scheduled, Roberts told reporters Tuesday morning.
“The relief of the pain just isn’t there right now,” Roberts said. “We’re all disappointed about it, but we got to deal with where he’s at.”
Kershaw went on the injured last Friday because of SI joint inflammation in his lower back. He had an epidural shot and has been going through a throwing progression, but the bullpen was supposed to be the next step in his return.
While Kershaw is still slated to throw off flat ground Wednesday — and could still throw the bullpen if he feels better — Roberts isn’t sure how Kershaw’s timeline for returning might be impacted.
Kershaw and the team had originally hoped he’d be ready, or to close ready, to return at the end of his 15-day IL stint.
“I think I’ll be able to answer that question after tomorrow,” Roberts said.
ICYMI: Dodgers finally get to Madison Bumgarner, hang on for win over Diamondbacks
The crescendo rose, the familiar wall of noise building amid the nighttime horde, fans in the outfield bleachers at Dodger Stadium standing and waiting with open arms.
Then, nothing. Nada. Zilch. A disappointing quiet and a return to their seats.
The swell-turned-silence in the Dodgers’ 5-4 victory Monday night came first with Freddie Freeman, bombing a first-inning curveball from Madison Bumgarner deep to center field — only for the drive to float harmlessly into the glove of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Alek Thomas.
Ahhhhh — ohhhhhh.
Then with Mookie Betts in the third inning, crushing a pitch so high it seemed to touch the stadium lights protruding above left field — only for the ball to die at the track.
Ahhhhh — ohhhhhh.
Through four innings in Monday night’s series opener against the Diamondbacks, the home fans had no runs on the board to show for multiple balls that looked like home runs off the bat.
How to watch and stream the Dodgers this season
Here’s a look at the Dodgers broadcast and streaming schedule for the remainder of the 2022 regular season:
Relievers Caleb Ferguson, David Price are ready to pitch in and help Dodgers
They’re both left-handers, both relievers, both ready to offer help for an injury-thinned Dodgers pitching staff.
But the circumstances of Caleb Ferguson’s and David Price’s returns are much different. Ferguson is primed for a career sunrise; Price is in his twilight. Ferguson has been away for nearly two years; Price for three weeks.
Most notably, the Dodgers seem to have a plan for Ferguson. Price? It’s not clear.
On Monday, Ferguson was recalled from a triple-A rehabilitation assignment and trotted out to the mound at Dodger Stadium for the first time since Tommy John surgery stopped a breakout 2020 season. Tasked with seventh-inning duties and the Dodgers ahead by three runs, he gave up a walk before striking out the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Geraldo Perdomo so emphatically that Perdomo corkscrewed into the dirt. Ferguson pitched a scoreless inning, and the Dodgers held on for a 5-4 win.