The Arizona Diamondbacks have won the season series against the Los Angeles Dodgers for the first time since 2018, dealing a blow to the Dodgers' dominance in the National League West.
A strong performance from Eduardo Rodriguez led the Diamondbacks to a 4-2 win, halting the Dodgers' winning streak. Rodriguez threw 115 pitches over seven innings of two-run ball, scattering five hits and two walks, with nine strikeouts. It was the first time any Diamondbacks starter had thrown more than 105 pitches this season.
The Diamondbacks' offense jumped out to a quick lead, scoring four runs in the first two innings. Ketel Marte hit a two-run home run in the first inning, and Corbin Carroll added a double in the second inning to give Arizona a 4-0 advantage. The offense largely shut up shop thereafter, going 0-for-14 against the Los Angeles bullpen.
The Dodgers pulled runs back in the third and sixth innings, but a Freddie Freeman double-play in the eighth inning ended their real threat. Kevin Ginkel earned his first save of the year, notching a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts.
The Diamondbacks' win marks a significant moral victory, as they have played the Dodgers tougher than in previous years. The team is still 7.5 games behind the Dodgers in the standings, but the win indicates they are a force to be reckoned with in the National League West.
The Diamondbacks will look to build on this momentum as they host the Colorado Rockies for a three-game set starting tomorrow. Michael Soroka is set to return from the injured list for the Rockies, and the Diamondbacks will need to continue their strong pitching to keep the winning streak going.
The National League wild-card race is also heating up, with the Houston Astros facing the San Diego Padres tonight. A win for the Astros would put the Diamondbacks two games clear of the Padres, but for now, the focus is on the upcoming series against the Rockies.
Source: Yahoo Sports