Tommy Troy, Nolan Arenado, Ketel Marte slam homers as Arizona Diamondbacks outduel Los Angeles Dodgers.
What a way for the Arizona Diamondbacks to open a big four-game series at Chase Field in Downtown Phoenix against the back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
No, the Dodgers didn't bring out the big lumber against the Diamondbacks. But the home team sure did. Tommy Troy, Nolan Arenado, and Ketel Marte provided all the offense that Arizona needed in picking up a 4-1 win.
Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez went six innings but didn't get the win. Rodriguez gave up five hits, one earned run, walked one, and struck out three. He's now the proud owner of a 2.24 ERA.
Relievers Taylor Clarke and Brandyn Garcia earned holds as they worked the seventh and eighth innings, respectively. Paul Sewald came on in the ninth and shut the door on the Dodgers, earning his 15th save this season.
Emmet Sheehan Takes Loss for Dodgers
Los Angeles starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan picked up the loss, falling to 3-2 this season. In 6.1 innings of work against Arizona, Sheehan allowed three hits, two earned runs, no walks, and struck out three. But he did give up two Diamondbacks home runs in his outing. Sheehan now owns a 4.50 ERA.
Arizona is now five games above .500 at 32-27, sitting in third place in the National League West Division. Los Angeles remains in first place in the NL West with a 38-22 record.
So, how did the Diamondbacks put up their runs? All by way of the home run swing.
Before sharing the details about Arizona's offense, the Dodgers got on the board first in the first inning. First baseman Freddie Freeman grounded out to third base, where Shohei Ohtani motored in from third and one out. That gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.
And, that was the essence of the Los Angeles offense for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Diamondbacks Get on Board
The Diamondbacks got on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning on Troy's first home run this season, a solo blast that tied things up at 1-1. Arenado stepped up to the plate and smoked his eighth home run this season, another solo shot, and Arizona went ahead 2-1.
The Dodgers had something going in the top of the eighth inning. Ohtani opened the inning with an infield hit. But Andy Pages flew out to right fielder Corbin Carroll for the first out. Freeman came up with a chance to put Los Angeles in the lead if he could get around on a pitch.
Instead, Freeman grounded into an inning-ending double play.
In the bottom of the eighth, with two outs and Troy on first base, Marte stepped up and slammed his 10th home run this season. It was a two-run blast over the left-field wall, putting the Diamondbacks up 4-1.
Sewald came on and got the deal done for Arizona, securing a win in the first of this four-game series at Chase Field.
The Diamondbacks and Dodgers will play three more games on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights. All games have a first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m.
Join the Community
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
