Deja vu all over again: D-backs blow early lead in loss to Dodgers

For the fourth consecutive game, the Arizona Diamondbacks blew an early lead to the Dodgers en route to a loss in Los Angeles.

After having a 2-1 lead after three innings of play, the D-backs failed to hold on en route to a 5-3 loss.

The Diamondbacks have now lost six straight games and are three games under .500 at a record of 18-21.

After giving up an RBI single to Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman that scored Mookie Betts in the first inning, the D-backs battled back to take the lead in the top of the third.

A fielder’s choice off the bat of Geraldo Perdomo in the second and a Pavin Smith RBI groundout to first gave Arizona starting pitcher Zach Davies a 2-1 lead.

However, a four-run fourth inning that was capped off by a three-run home run off the bat of Dodgers’ Justin Turner gave Los Angeles the five runs it needed to win the ballgame.

It also was enough for manager Torey Lovullo to pull Davies, who allowed five earned runs on seven hits (one HR) and no walks while striking out two on 77 pitches (44 strikes).

D-backs relievers Joe Mantiply, Ian Kennedy, Noe Ramirez and Mark Melancon combined for five scoreless innings in relief of Davies.

Smith brought in Daulton Varsho to score on an RBI single — his second of the game — in the top of the seventh to bring the Diamondbacks within two at 5-3.

But it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback, as Arizona finished the day with nine hits and three walks while stranding eight runners on base and going 2-for-11 (.182) with runners in scoring position.

UP NEXT

The D-backs travel to Chicago to begin a four-game series with the Cubs on Thursday at 4:40 p.m. on ESPN 620 AM or 98.7 FM HD-2.

Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen is scheduled to start against Cubs RHP Marcus Stroman.

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