Pujols delivers in Dodger Debut

Albert Pujols is a Hall of Famer. That’s not even a question. And now, for a while anyway, he is a Los Angeles Dodger. And just like he’s done so many times before, the Machine drove in a run. And it turned out to be the difference in a tight game. Dodger starter Walker Buehler worked past some early wildness and turned in another quality start for the rotation, leading the Dodgers past the Arizona Diamondbacks, 3-1 at Dodger Stadium on Monday night.

Smith goes yard for first run

The Dodgers scored first against Madison Bumgarner. In the bottom of the second, Will Smith greeted Mad Bum with a leadoff home run. Smith ripped an 0-1 cutter over the left center field fence and the Dodgers were on the board.

Pujols: the Machine delivers

Albert Pujols’s big moment would come in the following inning. With one out, Bumgarner walked both Mookie Betts and Justin Turner. Then, Max Muncy hit a ground ball to third that looked like it might be an innning-ending double play. But, Eduardo Escobar‘s throw to second was high, and the D’backs could only get the force. Then up came former MVP Albert Pujols for his second at-bat in a Dodger uniform. He quickly showed Dodger fans why he got the nickname “The Machine” as he coolly ripped a single into center field to score a run. It was something he’d done a mere 2,112 times before. But now, he has a his first RBI as a Dodger.

Buehler overcomes wildness to pitch gem

Walker Buehler was wild early, and seemed like he might be in big trouble in the fourth inning. After a quick strikeout, Buehler walked three straight D’backs hitters to load the bases and suddenly he was in deep trouble without a ball being put in play. Pitching coach Mark Prior made a mound visit and it seemed to do the trick. A half-dozen pitches later Buehler was out of the inning after a strikeout and harmless fly ball to right. The Diamonds never threatened Buehler the rest of his start. His line for the night was only marred by four walks and an infield single. By the end of the night, he had retired eleven straight. Otherwise, it was a brilliant performance: 7 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 7K.

D’backs get one in the eighth

Leading 2-0 in the eighth, Buehler turned the ball over to the bullpen to bring home the W for the home team. Victor Gonzalez was not as sharp as he usually is, and it cost the Dodgers a run. After a quick out, he walked Pavin Smith. Then, after an infield single from Josh Rojas, Eduardo Escobar hit a ball into the hole, and it looked like Gavin Lux might have a play on it to save a run. But, Lux’s cleat got hung up in the turf and the ball bounded over his glove for a run-scoring single to get the Diamondbacks on the board.

After a fielder’s choice for the second out, it was Kenley Jansen to the rescue with men on first and third. Jansen induced a weak ground ball to the left side that Justin Turner had to make a do or die play on to save the Dodger lead. Turner fielded the ball cleanly and whipped a strike to Pujols at first and the D’backs threat was extinguished.

Smith and Lux combine for insurance

The Dodgers got their run back in the bottom of the eighth, thanks to Will Smith and Gavin Lux. Smith doubled with one out and moved to third on a Matt Beaty groundout. Then, with two away, Gavin Lux made up for his fielding miscue of the previous half inning by ripping a solid single into right to score Smith and give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead. Lux was 2-for-3 tonight, and continues his hot hitting in May.

Jansen closes it out

Jansen hit in the eighth (struck out, actually) and came back to pitch the ninth. He gave up one of his trademark walks with one out. Then, Tim Locastro doinked a ground ball single against the shift, and suddenly the tying run was on board. It never seems to come easy for Jansen these days. Nevertheless, he got a nice 6-4-3 double play to end the threat and secure the win.

The Dodgers are now 5-1 on the homestand and improve their record to 23-18. They get right back at it at 7:10 on Tuesday. Julio Urias gets the start for the Dodgers.