Dodgers Recap: Snell Strikes Out Eight, but Dodgers’ Bats Go Quiet in Loss to D-backs

CHAVEZ RAVINE – The Dodgers started their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night, aiming to build on their momentum after sweeping the Cincinnati Reds and winning four straight games. Blake Snell was the starter for the Dodgers, entering with a 3–2 record and a 1.97 ERA. The left-hander pitched 5.1 innings, giving up four hits and three earned runs, walking three batters, and striking out eight while throwing 65% (86-56) of his pitches for strikes. Although he allowed three runs in this outing, with a two-run home run to Blaze Alexander and an RBI from Moreno, it wasn’t Snell’s cleanest start, but it kept the Dodgers competitive.

On the other side, Arizona sent Zac Gallen to the mound, and the right-hander kept the Dodgers’ lineup in check. Gallen issued two walks but struck out eight over six innings, preventing the Dodgers from establishing any offensive rhythm throughout the game.

In the top of the fourth inning, Teoscar Hernandez showcased his fielding skills by robbing Corbin Carroll of extra bases with a sliding catch, keeping the D-backs off the bases. However, it was short-lived, as D-backs second baseman Blaze Alexander then hit a two-run homer off Snell in the same inning, giving the D-backs an early 2-0 lead as the middle innings unfolded.

The Dodgers’ offense continued to struggle into later innings, especially as they entered the fifth inning with no runners in scoring position. They faced a tough challenge against Gallen, who was effectively shutting down their lineup. Up to the top of the sixth inning, the Dodgers had just one hit.

After Snell pitched 5.1 innings and allowed an RBI single to Gabriel Moreno, the Dodgers called upon Ben Casparius. Casparius walked the first batter he faced but finished the inning unblemished after striking out Alek Thomas to end it.

It wasn’t until an extra-base hit by Mookie Betts that the Dodgers’ offense showed signs of life, sending Dodger Stadium into a frenzy. With two outs, Freddie Freeman drew a walk, bringing Will Smith to the plate. With runners on first and second, Smith missed a slider at the top of the zone, hitting a liner to the warning track for the final out of the inning.

After the sixth, Ben Casparius was sent out yet again. He would record one out and issue a walk before being replaced by Anthony Banda, who would get through the inning unscathed, helping the Dodgers get through the seventh. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts then brought in Kirby Yates, who pitched a scoreless eighth. Jack Dreyer finished the game with a scoreless ninth, but the Dodgers’ offense was shut out entirely.

Overall, the Dodgers’ offense struggled against the D-backs. While the pitching kept them in the game, the offense couldn’t get going and was mostly held at bay by Arizona’s pitching staff. The game ended in a 3-0 loss, with Blake Snell taking the loss. The Dodgers look to bounce back tomorrow evening with Tyler Glasnow on the mound; the first pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. PDT.