On April 7th, 2023, the Los Angeles Dodgers took on the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. Both teams had a rocky start to the season and were looking for a win to gain some momentum.
The Dodgers sent Clayton Kershaw to the mound, while the Diamondbacks countered with Caleb Smith. The game started off with a bang for the Dodgers as Mookie Betts hit a leadoff home run to center field in the top of the first inning, putting the Dodgers up 1-0.
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The Diamondbacks responded in the bottom of the second inning when catcher Carson Kelly hit a solo home run to left field, tying the game at 1-1. The Dodgers quickly regained the lead in the top of the third inning when Corey Seager hit an RBI single to center field, scoring Justin Turner and making it 2-1 Dodgers.
The Dodgers extended their lead in the top of the fourth inning when Max Muncy hit a two-run home run to right field, making it 4-1 Dodgers. The Diamondbacks were able to score one more run in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI double by outfielder David Peralta, but the Dodgers were able to hold on to their lead.
Kershaw had a strong outing for the Dodgers, pitching six innings and allowing only two runs on six hits while striking out eight batters. The Dodgers’ bullpen also had a solid performance, with relievers Blake Treinen, Kenley Jansen, and Corey Knebel combining for three scoreless innings and striking out six batters.
On the offensive side, the Dodgers were led by Mookie Betts and Max Muncy, who both hit home runs and drove in a total of three runs. Justin Turner also had a strong performance, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.
The Diamondbacks’ offense struggled against Kershaw and the Dodgers’ bullpen, with Carson Kelly’s solo home run being the only run they scored until the sixth inning. David Peralta was the only Diamondback to have multiple hits in the game.
Caleb Smith had a rough outing for the Diamondbacks, pitching only four innings and allowing four runs on five hits and two walks. The Diamondbacks’ bullpen had a better performance, with three relievers combining for four scoreless innings.
In conclusion, the Dodgers’ victory over the Diamondbacks was a result of strong pitching and timely hitting. The Dodgers’ pitching staff held the Diamondbacks’ offense in check, while their own offense was able to score four runs on eight hits. The Diamondbacks will need to improve their offense and get more consistent pitching if they want to compete with the top teams in their division. Meanwhile, the Dodgers will look to build on this win and continue their quest for another playoff run.