Betts Smashes Career-High 36th Homer as Dodgers Dominate Diamondbacks 9-1 Mookie Betts showcased his hitting prowess by launching his personal best 36th home run, accompanied by a strong performance from David Peralta, who went 3 for 4 and contributed with two RBIs. The Los Angeles Dodgers displayed their offensive prowess by overpowering the Arizona Diamondbacks with a commanding 9-1 victory on Tuesday evening, marking their fourth consecutive triumph at home.
In a noteworthy pitching display, Clayton Kershaw (12-4) allowed just one run and three hits across five innings. He secured five strikeouts and issued three walks during his tenure on the mound. Kershaw’s remarkable performance allowed him to join Don Drysdale with 209 wins, tying him for second place on the franchise wins list, as reported by the Associated Press (AP).
The Dodgers’ batting prowess was on full display as they amassed an impressive total of 16 hits, solidifying their record of 23 wins out of 27 games in August. While Freddie Freeman leads the league with 176 hits, he was the sole Dodger unable to secure a hit in this matchup. Jason Heyward played a key role with a 3-for-4 performance, driving in two runs. Chris Taylor also marked his 33rd birthday with a stellar 3-for-3 performance, contributing an RBI and a run, coinciding with his bobblehead night celebration.
Mookie Betts ignited the fireworks with a 428-foot home run to left-center field, capitalizing on the first pitch delivered by reliever Scott McGough in the sixth inning. Will Smith followed suit with a home run, further extending the Dodgers’ lead to 9-1. After these impactful performances, Betts and Freeman were granted an early departure from the game.
Clayton Kershaw’s return from a stint on the injured list was met with careful management by the Dodgers, given his recent left shoulder inflammation. Despite this, Kershaw displayed his signature prowess by masterfully controlling his pitches.
The Dodgers rapidly gained momentum in the first inning, piling on three runs against Merrill Kelly (10-6), the Diamondbacks’ pitcher. Former Diamondback David Peralta contributed a pivotal RBI double down the first-base line, followed by a two-run RBI double from Jason Heyward. This robust offensive showcase brought the Dodgers’ tally of two-out runs this season to an impressive 301.
Throughout the game, the Dodgers’ dominance remained evident, with Miguel Rojas delivering an RBI single in the second inning and Peralta and Taylor driving in runs in the third.
The Diamondbacks managed to salvage a lone run with Corbin Carroll’s solo home run in the fifth inning.
Even the fifth inning saw the Dodgers capitalizing on their opportunities, securing three bloop hits. James Outman’s well-executed sacrifice into a double play enabled Max Muncy, who had walked, to contribute to the scoreline.
Merrill Kelly (10-6), the Diamondbacks’ pitcher, faced adversity, surrendering seven runs and 12 hits during his five innings on the mound. With this performance, Kelly’s record now stands at 0-11 in 16 career starts against the Dodgers.
As the game took an unexpected turn, the Diamondbacks resorted to backup catcher Jose Herrera to pitch the eighth inning. Despite his unconventional pitching style and relatively slower pitches, he managed a clean inning, showing resilience against the Dodgers’ lineup.
