Goldschmidt continues hot pace as D-backs extend win streak over LA

Apr 14, 2018, 9:24 PM | Updated: Apr 16, 2018, 1:49 pm

Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt is congratulated after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Saturday, April 14, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

BY TYLER DRAKE

Cardinals reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt continued his hot streak Saturday night as the Snakes took down the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-1 to extend their regular-season win streak over L.A. to 11 games.

Goldschmidt got the offense started early on in the first inning, hitting a single.

He followed it up with a two-run blast in the third inning to push the D-backs ahead 3-1.

Paul Goldschmidt crushes a two-run home run to deep left, giving the D-backs a 3-1 lead in the top of the 3rd inning #MLB pic.twitter.com/LoND6OWNl0

— TheRenderMLB (@TheRenderMLB2) April 15, 2018

With that swing, Goldschmidt registered the hardest-hit home run Statcast had ever recorded for the first baseman with an exit velocity of 112.9 mph.

After starting the season out slow, batting .100 (3 for 30) through his first eight games, Goldschmidt has turned it on, recording three homers in his last four games.

He finished the night going 3-for-4 with a bomb, two singles and two RBI. He also scored twice.

But it wasn’t just Goldschmidt who got in on the action.

A.J. Pollock had himself a night, hitting not one, but two moonshots. He ended the evening with two homers and three RBI on 2-of-4 hitting. It was his third multi-home run game of his career.

Ketel Marte also added to the score after tying things up at 1-1 with a RBI-double in the third.

Alex Avila recorded another run for good measure in the ninth, sending a solo shot into the bleachers.

Steven Souza Jr. was clearly impressed with the offensive firepower.

These Dbacks are fun to watch

— Steven Souza Jr. (@SouzaJr) April 15, 2018

It was a good thing the bats were hot too as starting pitcher Taijuan Walker dealt with right forearm tightness that forced him to exit the game after just two innings of work. He gave up four hits and one earned run, while striking out two in 2.0 innings pitched before leaving.

The D-backs have now won 11 straight against the Dodgers spanning back to August of last year. It is the second-longest winning streak over a single team in franchise history. The D-backs largest streak is 16 against the Cincinnati Reds from 2001-2003.

If Arizona can sweep the series, it will be the third straight sweep over the Dodgers.

With the latest victory, the D-backs take home yet another series win, making it five consecutive series victories, the best start in franchise history. Prior to this season, the D-backs never had more than two series wins in a row to start a season.

Under Review

In the fourth inning, Deven Marrero clobbered — what looked like — a three-run home run to push the lead to 6-1.

Deven Marrero clobbers what looks like his first HR with the @Dbacks, but after review is called out for passing Alex Avila on the bases. Marrero is credited with a 2-run single and the #Dbacks lead 5-1 in the fourth. pic.twitter.com/3u1iEvuejn

— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) April 15, 2018

But as he was rounding first, Avila was seen running back to the bag, causing Marrero to “lap” Avila.

After review, the home run was taken off the board for the lapping, Marrero was called out at second and was credited with a single and two RBI, making it 5-1.

Up Next

The D-backs are breaking out the brooms as they look to take home the sweep against the Dodgers on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. Catch all the action on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

Follow @Tdrake4sports

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Saturday, April 14, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Taijuan Walker throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Saturday, April 14, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Yasiel Puig, right, scores on a single by Joc Pederson as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Alex Avila stands at the plate during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 14, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt is congratulated after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Saturday, April 14, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Deven Marrero, left, looks back toward the first base coach as Alex Avila runs in front of him after hitting a three-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Saturday, April 14, 2018, in Los Angeles. Avila was later called out for passing Avila following a review. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Deven Marrero, right, is congratulated by Alex Avila, left, and Chris Owings after hitting a three-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Saturday, April 14, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Deven Marrero runs behind Alex Avila after Marrero hit what was initially a three-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Saturday, April 14, 2018, in Los Angeles. Following a review, Marrero was called out for passing Avila. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Deven Marrerom, center, runs to first as he hits what was initially called a three-run home run as Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill, below, watches along with catcher Yasmani Grandal, upper left, and home plate umpire Adrian Johnson during the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 14, 2018, in Los Angeles. Following a review, Marrero was called out at second for passing Avila. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona Diamondbacks' A.J. Pollock, right, scores after hitting a two-run home run as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, center, and home plate umpire Adrian Johnson stand at the plate during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 14, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona Diamondbacks' A.J. Pollock watches his two-run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill, foreground, during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 14, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Dogs and their owners walk the warning track around the field during Pups at the Park prior to a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks Saturday, April 14, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Dogs and their owners walk the warning track during Pups at the Park prior to a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday, April 14, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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