Dodgers 14 Diamondbacks 3: Rams Beat the Cardinals

The Dodgers took the series finale from the Diamondbacks in an offense FILLED game.

Today’s final score looked a lot like a football score, not a baseball score, but the Dodgers finished up on top so I am not complaining.

Bud Norris’ outing today consisted of two batters and just one out. After throwing just 13 pitches in the first out, Norris was removed from the game when he showed that he was experiencing pain. Dave Roberts visited the mound when Norris grabbed his middle back after throwing a pitch, but he seemed to be okay. A few more pitches later and it was clear that the pain was persisting. Norris exited the first inning with “muscle tightness in the back”, as reported by Ken Gurick on Twitter.

Ross Stripling entered the game in place of Norris. Stripling threw three innings on Wednesday and 50 pitches so he came into today’s game on three days rest. He inherited Jean Segura who was on base thanks to a walk from Norris when he took over on the mound. Segura promptly stole second and was called safe at third when Yasmani Grandal made a throwing error. Stripling then allowed a walk to Paul Goldschmidt. Jake Lamb grounded into a fielder’s choice, which allowed Segura to score and the Diamondbacks took a 1 to 0 lead. Stripling however, got out of the inning right after that.

Stripling pitched 1-2-3 second and third innings. He got in some trouble in the fourth inning however. Goldschmidt would ground out for the first out. A single from Lamb, an infield single, a fielder’s choice and a wild pitch got the Diamondbacks another run. Within all of that, a foul ball got stuck in Grandal’s catching equipment which allowed all the runners to advance to another base.

Another single from Chris Owings in the fourth inning and the Diamondbacks led by a score of 3-0. Stripling went 3.2 innings, allowed two runs (only one was earned), walked one and struck out one. While it was not hit best outing, it was pretty good and he kept it close enough for the Dodgers to have a chance to catch up. The Diamondbacks scored all three of their runs in odd and unconventional ways this afternoon.

The Dodgers would finally get on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning. Grandal led off with a single and Yasiel Puig was called safe thanks to an error from Lamb. Enrique Hernandez, who is in his first game back in a month, walked and Chris Taylor reached on an infield single, which brought Grandal home. Adrian Gonzalez came up to hit for Stripling. He grounded into a double play, but the Dodgers were able to score their second run of the afternoon. Howie Kendrick then singled to right. By the time the fourth inning was over, it was now a tied ballgame at three.

Louis Coleman pitched a scoreless fifth inning and the Dodgers took the lead for the first time today. Justin Turner led off the inning with a deep double to center and with two outs, Puig doubled him home. The Dodgers now took the lead by a score of 4-3.

The Dodgers added to their lead in the bottom of the 6th inning. With one out, Kendrick was hit by a pitch. Corey Seager singled to center. The rookie sensation continues to carry the team and come up with big hits.

Kendrick would score on Turner’s single and with two outs, Grandal sent a ball yard for a three run home run! The Dodgers scored four runs on four hits in the sixth and lead the Diamondbacks by a score of 8 to 3.

Andrew Toles pinch hit for Joe Blanton and then promptly singled to right center. Roberts then put in Kenta Maeda to pinch run for Toles, which confused everyone via Twitter. Toles was hurt last night running into the visitors scoreboard, but he hurt his lip, which he received stitches for. Maybe in the post-game report there will be an explanation as to why a pinch runner was needed. Utley doubled to center and Maeda advanced to third. With no outs the Dodgers now had runners on second and third. Kendrick struck out swinging. Seager came up to the plate and did not agree with a call made by the home plate umpire. He tried to hold up on a high and inside ball, but the home plate ump said it was a foul tip which worked the count to 0-2. After it looked like Seager said “there’s no way dude”, on the broadcast, he got back in the box and fought off a few more. Three pitches later he CRUSHED a ball into right field for a three run home run. The Dodgers now lead by eight runs and the score was now 11 to 3.

The Dodgers just kept adding to their lead. Grandal got a gift of a double in the bottom of the eighth inning. Yasmani Tomas went for the ball in the outfield, but it rolled under his glove while he was running. It should have been an out, but turned into another double for Grandal. Puig followed him up with a double down the right field line so the boys in blue now had 12 runs on the board. This game basically turned into a home run derby. With Puig on second base, Pederson hit a home run to right and the score was now 14 to 3.

J.P. Howell came in for a crazy quick ninth inning to secure the win. The Giants also won this afternoon so the Dodgers are still two games back in the division. Today was a great day for the Dodgers. Pitching struggled off the bat, but the bullpen was great and the offense more than made up for it. Seager, Puig and Grandal all finished this afternoon’s game with three hits each.  Nothing better than seeing the Dodgers swing hot bats throughout the game.

Tomorrow is an off day for the Dodgers, but they will resume playing Tuesday as they begin a three game series with the Rockies in Colorado.