Steve Webb
Game 135, 8/31/2024: Dodgers 10, Diamondbacks 9
PHOENIX, AZ — The Dodgers pulled off a thrilling 10-9 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first game of their crucial series with their divisional rival, bolstered by a powerful offensive performance and just enough bullpen to win. The victory, however, came with a significant scare as star pitcher Clayton Kershaw exited the game in the second inning with an apparent injury to his left toe, putting the Dodgers’ pitching staff to the test early on.
Despite the early exit of Kershaw, the Dodgers’ offense wasted no time providing support. Freddie Freeman set the tone in the first inning with a two-run homer, bringing in Shohei Ohtani, who had doubled earlier. This early burst gave the Dodgers a 2-0 lead. After the Diamondbacks tied the game in the bottom half, the Dodgers continued their offensive assault in the second inning. A key RBI single from Miguel Rojas and a sacrifice fly from Mookie Betts helped extend the Dodgers’ lead to 5-2.
Then disaster struck. Kershaw came out for the bottom of the second, but it looked like something was up because Joe Kelly was already warming up in the pen. Sure enough, a couple pitches into Corbin Carroll‘s at-bat, Kershaw threw a Rich-Hill-style 65-mph curveball that was absolutely obliterated for a solo home run. That sent Dave Roberts and the training crew bolting out of the dugout to remove Clayton from the game. The Dodgers are saying it’s a toe injury. Let’s hope it’s nothing serious.
The Diamondbacks clawed their way back into the game, taking advantage of Kershaw’s absence and subsequent bullpen shifts. Carroll’s dinger and subsequent runs from Arizona narrowed the gap, creating a back-and-forth contest. However, the Dodgers’ bats remained relentless. Will Smith delivered a crucial three-run homer in the seventh inning.
Smith’s blast was followed by Ohtani’s solo shot in the eighth, providing the Dodgers with much-needed insurance runs. Combined with a steal earlier in the game, Ohtani now sits at an unprecedented 43/43 mark for the year. 50/50 is looking more and more likely with still over 25 games to play.
The overtaxed Dodgers bullpen, already depleted from previous games, had to step up in a big way following Kershaw’s early departure. A combination of Joe Kelly, Alex Vesia, Ryan Brasier, Michael Kopech, and Blake Treinen managed to contain the Diamondbacks’ offense, despite allowing some runs. The most significant challenge came in the ninth inning when Banda struggled, allowing four runs, including a two-run blast by Eugenio Suárez that brought the Diamondbacks within one run.
With the game on the line, the Dodgers turned to their final bullpen arms to close it out. Despite the pressure and a roaring crowd at Chase Field, Banda held firm. In the end, the team managed to fend off the Diamondbacks’ late rally, preserving a crucial win in their push for the postseason and pushing their lead in the division to five games.
This victory underscores the Dodgers’ resilience and depth, especially in the face of adversity, and showcases how their potent offense can compensate when pitching falters. The team hopes Kershaw’s injury is not severe as they prepare for the rest of the series and continue their quest for the division title.
Mr. Reliable Gavin Stone takes to the mound on Saturday, facing off against the D-backs “other” ace, Merrill Kelly, who has been battling injuries this year(4-0, 3.98 ERA, 32 SO). Game time in this one is a little earlier, 5:10 PDT. With the starting rotation in a shambles and the bullpen being overworked, it’s going to be critical to get plenty of runs this weekend. Let’s hope the Dodgers got the memo.
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