Diamondbacks can’t overcome Dodgers’ 6-run inning, comeback falls short

The Los Angeles Dodgers scored six runs before recording an out in the third inning against Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Slade Cecconi in a 6-4 victory Monday at Dodger Stadium.

Arizona (22-26) outhit L.A. 10-9 and made it a ballgame after trailing 6-1, but the Dodgers (33-17) held on for a fourth straight win.

Cecconi retired 12 batters in a row after Dodgers stars Freddie Freeman and Will Smith hit back-to-back homers. On the other side, Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto went 6.1 innings with two earned runs and eight strikeouts.

The Diamondbacks had an opportunity to cut a 6-2 deficit during the seventh inning against former Arizona pitching prospect Anthony Banda, but Ketel Marte made the hardest-hit out of the season.

Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts snagged Marte’s 117 mph line drive with runners on second and third. That was the hardest hit ball of the year by an Arizona player, according to Statcast. There have only been seven balls with a higher exit velocity this season, and all seven resulted in hits.

Outfielders Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Jake McCarthy hit consecutive solo shots in the eighth off Dodgers reliever Elieser Hernández, the third time Arizona has gone back-to-back this season. Gurriel had not homered since April 16, but the two dingers were Arizona’s final gasp.

Dodgers score 6 runs off Slade Cecconi

The Diamondbacks opted to start left-handed reliever Joe Mantiply as an opener ahead of Slade Cecconi to face left-handed stars Shohei Ohtani and Freeman. Mantiply rewarded Arizona for the decision with a scoreless first inning after getting Freeman to hit into a double play.

Cecconi threw a scoreless second inning, but the Dodgers started launching baseballs in the third.

Enrique Hernandez led off the frame with a homer, and Freeman punctuated the six-spot with a no-doubter grand slam to center field. Those two two home runs came with Cecconi behind in the count on fastballs over the middle of the plate.

Freddie Freeman drives them all home with one big swing! 💥 pic.twitter.com/ewQUvDbwqj

— MLB (@MLB) May 21, 2024

Cecconi threw 37 pitches in the inning.

This was the third instance the Diamondbacks allowed six runs in an innings over the past four games. The Detroit Tigers had two six-spots in their series win at Chase Field over the weekend.

Cecconi hit the iPad with pitching coach Brent Strom after the third inning, and he saved the bullpen for Tuesday. But his season ERA rose to 6.12, and Arizona has lost four of his last five games pitched.

How long is Ketel Marte’s hitting streak?

Marte singled off Yamamoto in the first inning, quickly extending his hitting streak to 19 games. That is the longest hitting streak from anyone in MLB this season, passing Alec Bohm’s 18-gamer that has since ended.

Marte’s streak is tied for fifth longest in Arizona history with Matt Williams.

Ketel Marte wasted no time extending the streak to 19 games!@Casamigos | #MLBNShowcase | @Dbacks https://t.co/Yb8vGMZGdn pic.twitter.com/00LEPHA2pT

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 21, 2024

Kevin Newman stays hot

D-backs shortstop Kevin Newman collected three hits and an RBI off Yamamoto. He has multiple hits in five of his last nine games, hitting .484 in that span.

When is the Diamondbacks’ next game?

The Diamondbacks and Dodgers continue the series Tuesday at 7:10 p.m.

Brandon Pfaadt will start for Arizona, while Gavin Stone gets the ball for Los Angeles.

 Catch first pitch on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app. 

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