Dodgers 5, Diamondbacks 2: RISPy Business

The Dodgers were losing a frustrating game until they won. That was fun!

Ross Stripling got any talks of a no-hitter out of the way right away, as Jean Segura hit a leadoff single to start the game. Stripling had a second consecutive great outing, as he held the Diamondbacks to two runs and six baserunners in six innings. Stripling barely won the fifth starter spot after everyone got injured, so for him to put up two great outings to start his Dodger career is great to see.

For a while, it looked like the Dodgers were going to frustratingly lose another Stripling outing, as they could not get anything going off Diamondback starter Robbie Ray. Ray shut the Dodgers down for six innings and the Dodgers failed to manufacture anything, but they finally got to him in the seventh.

After Trayce Thompson led off with a single, A.J. Ellis had a frustrating at bat, where he swung at a 2-0 pitch in the dirt and then flew out. Austin Barnes drew a walk, which ended Ray’s night. Randall Delgado relieved Ray and gave up an RBI single and a two-run double before being replaced by Andrew Chafin, who gave up back to back RBI singles before getting out of the inning. The Dodgers put up a five-spot, led by Enrique Hernandez‘s two-run double (off a righty!!).

The bullpen was better today, as J.P. Howell recorded his first out since San Diego and threw a 1-2-3 seventh. Yimi Garcia gave up a single in the eighth, but froze Dodger-slayer Paul Goldschmidt to end that inning. Kenley Jansen got a five-out save the other night, but came in in the ninth with a three run lead and retired the DBacks in order to close out the win.

The home opener was frustrating, but the Dodgers took two of three against Arizona and now welcome the Giants to town. I would have rather the Dodgers not gone to Kenley tonight, as I don’t see him throwing three straight nights if the Dodgers need him tomorrow. Clayton Kershaw could just throw a complete game, but I’d rather Jansen come in and strike out the side than have Pedro Baez come in and give up four infield singles to lose the game. Stupid Giants.

Tomorrow is round two of Kershaw-Madbum, so that’ll be nice and stressful. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PST.