Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
After the Dodgers got a tightly-contested and fireworks-filled mini-sweep of the Astros to start their road trip, they continued their winning ways thanks to an early offensive outburst led by AJ Pollock in a 6-3 victory over the Diamondbacks.
——
D-backs starter Robbie Ray has a history of dominating the Dodgers (barring one memorable playoff game), so it was hard to be optimistic with the bats scuffling. However, they jumped on the struggling Ray early.
After a walk and an infield single, Kole Calhoun robbed Justin Turner of extra bases in right, but it still drove in the first run of the game. Later, with two down, Pollock smashed a ball to left for a two-run dong and a 3-0 lead.
Red-hot Corey Seager then continued things by crushing a ball to right for a 4-0 lead.
The Dodgers didn’t get on the board again until the 5th, and it was sparked by Pollock again, who led things off with a double and scored on a Seager squibber in front of the plate.
That run was immediately followed by another in the 6th courtesy of a Max Muncy strength homer to left.
On the other side of things, Ross Stripling continued to look like a solid rotation option. He gave up just one run through five, but ran into trouble in the 6th, exiting after 5.1 innings, giving up three runs on four hits and two walks.
Adam Kolarek entered in relief and allowed an inherited runner to score on a hit but did get out of the inning.
Appealing his suspension, Joe Kelly was next and he almost hit another batter with his first pitch before finding his range and pitching a scoreless frame.
Brusdar Graterol and his ridiculous arm played setup man, and he continued to be dominant, cruising through an eight-pitch 8th inning that included a strikeout.
As the offense stayed dead late, Pedro Baez was called on to close things out. Imagine not having a problem with that years ago. Despite a couple hard-hit balls and a walk, Baez locked things down in the 9th without much drama for the save.
5-2.
——
Mookie Betts rules, folks.
Again, the empty ballparks are a gift. Joe Davis calls Muncy’s displeasure.
RIP
Joe Davis announces Ross Stripling's 100-game suspension.
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) July 31, 2020
😥😥😥 pic.twitter.com/OWRfF7BWoy
——
A happy ending.
