Dodgers take advantage of D’backs’ shoddy D for win

Sometimes you win. Sometimes you just have to let the other team lose. The Dodgers did the latter on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. Capitalizing a couple of late fielding miscues from the Arizona defense, the Dodgers scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth en route to a 4-2 victory. It was the third straight win against the Snakes, and good enough to secure another series victory on this home stand.

Kershaw sharp, but surrenders HR

The D’backs opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning. Dodger starter Clayton Kershaw had been clean and efficient through the first three, but surrendered a one-out walk to right fielder Josh Rojas. The next D’back hitter, third baseman Eduardo Escobar, stroked a Kershaw four-seamer over the center field fence for a two-run homer to put the Diamondbacks on the board. It was the only blemish on a pretty good night for Kershaw on the mound. He gave up only one other hit and a HBP over six innings of work, but was still behind when he was lifted for a pinch hitter, so ends up with a no-decision for the night. The final line on Kershaw on Tuesday: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 8K.

Dodgers answer in fourth

The Dodgers started to chip away at the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Max Muncy continued his hot hitting with a one-out double to right field off D’backs starter Matt Peacock. Mad Max was 2-for-3 on Tuesday, and reached another time on an HBP, so his otherworldly on-base percentage continues to improve. After a Justin Turner strikeout, new Dodger Yoshi Tsutsugo came to the plate with a chance for an RBI. Tsutsugo, who was a total stud as a young player in Japan but who has struggled to transition to MLB pitching, managed to squirt a ground ball through the shifted left side of the infield for a run-scoring single. It was a good early sign for the Japanese slugger. If the team can get even half of what Tsutsugo was in Japan, he will be a great pick-up.

Dodgers gladly accept gifts in 7th

The inning that sealed the victory for Los Angeles tonight was the bottom of the seventh. Chris Taylor and Gavin Lux got back-to-back walks to open the frame. Then, our ol’ buddy Albert Pujols hit a bloop into no-man’s land over the first baseman Pavin Smith‘s head. Smith ran back and was able to stick leather on the ball, but couldn’t come up with the over-the-shoulder catch. It hit the ground for a single. Suddenly, the bases were full of Dodgers.

With the tying run on third, Will Smith hit a one-out fly ball to medium-depth right field that looked like it just might score Taylor from third. With the ball in flight, right fielder Josh Rojas set up to make a throw to the plate. Only one problem. He forgot to, you know, catch the ball. It bounced off his glove and he had to scramble to retrieve it. In the meantime, not only Taylor, but also Lux was able to scramble home to put the Dodgers in the lead 3-2.

Mookie Betts followed up the misplay with a solid shot to center that one-hopped into the seats for a ground-rule double to score the fourth run from second. The Dodgers were then able to reload the bases, but came away empty when Justin Turner grounded into a double play.

Bullpen comes through again

Luckily the LOB didn’t come back to haunt the Dodgers as the bullpen shut the door the rest of the way. Joe Kelly, yes that Joe Kelly, pitched an efficient 1-2-3 seventh and got the win. It was the third straight good outing for Kelly after a rocky debut in Anaheim, and it would be nice if we could count on his arm going forward. In the eighth, Victor Gonzalez was a little wild, but was able to pitch around a lead-off walk to put up a zero.

Then, in the ninth, Kenley Jansen was lights out. He struck out the first two D-backs and got a ground out to second to end the game for yet another save. It was the 321st save of his career with the Dodgers, moving him into third place all time for the number of saves for the same team. He now only trails Hall of Famers Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman. For all the grief that Jansen has taken the last couple of years, it is undeniable that he is the best closer the team has ever had.

Dodgers get out brooms for Thurday

The Dodgers are now 7-1 on the home stand. Looking to sweep the Diamondbacks in the series finale on Thursday, the team has opted to go with a bullpen game and save Trevor Bauer for the game on Friday. Thursday’s game starts at 7:10, and then the Dodgers head on the road for games against the Giants and the Astros*. Should be a mighty interesting next week or so…