ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Diamondbacks exorcise some demons in win over Dodgers

Apr 19, 2014, 7:16 AM | Updated: 7:16 am

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The Arizona Diamondbacks entered play Friday having lost six games in a row and five straight to start the season against their rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

They were an major league-worst 4-14 on the year and had just been swept on a homestand. Moreover, they were off to a 1-8 start at Chase Field and a 1-10 start at home — a record which includes the two games they hosted at Sydney Cricket Ground.

Following their most recent loss, a 5-2 dud to the New York Mets, who completed the sweep of the Diamondbacks with the win, pitcher Brandon McCarthy spoke on behalf of his team when he expressed his confusion with the team’s start.

“I don’t know what we’re in need of besides playing better baseball; exorcism or something,” McCarthy told the media after the game.

On Friday, the Diamondbacks were able to shake something off — whether it was exorcism or not — in their 4-2 win over the Dodgers.

It took 12 innings, included a blown save and pivoted on a ninth-inning wild pitch, but the Diamondbacks were able to climb out of their six-game rut. In the process, they beat the Dodgers for just the fourth time in the last 16 games and for the first time in 2014.

The Diamondbacks’ last victory over the Dodgers came on Sept. 18 of 2013.

Following the 4-2 win, the Diamondbacks no longer possess the fewest wins in baseball, now tying the Houston Astros for the second-fewest, ahead of the lowly Chicago Cubs (4-11).

The Diamondbacks are now 4-3 on the road, but 1-11 at home.

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