Dodgers get best of Diamondbacks pitching in wild series opener

PHOENIX — The Los Angeles Dodgers put up big numbers against Arizona Diamondbacks pitching in a wild back-and-forth series-opening 10-9 win at Chase Field on Friday.

Arizona nearly mounted another heroic comeback with four runs in the ninth inning off Anthony Banda, two from a Jake McCarthy single and another couple on an Eugenio Suarez home run. But five Dodgers runs off the Diamondbacks’ bullpen proved deadly.

“We had some really good moments offensively,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “I think it was 13 hits, four walks, three hit-by-pitches and it was a big number. It was unfortunate we couldn’t hold them down from a pitching standpoint. We’ve got to pitch better. … We got to land pitches. We got to command the fastball and use that to set up other pitches.”

The matchup between the National League West’s top two clubs lived up to the billing early, as the score was tied 5-5 after three long innings.

When the game became a battle of the bullpens, the Dodgers (81-54) took a 6-5 lead on a Joe Mantiply wild pitch in the sixth and extended the advantage on a three-run homer by Will Smith off Paul Sewald in the seventh inning.

Sewald entered his highest-leverage situation since losing the closer role. With Justin Martinez and Ryan Thompson having thrown in back-to-back games, the bullpen was a bit stressed. Sewald came in with two runners on and one out and Enrique Hernandez and Smith due up. After Hernandez flew out, Sewald missed inside with a fastball, and Smith turned on it.

Shohei Ohtani drilled an opposite-field solo homer off Sewald in the eighth inning. He became the first player ever to have 43 home runs and 43 steals in a season.

“We tried to stay away from Martinez, and Thompson was down,” Lovullo said. “I know I had some 50-50 balls, I can’t run away from everybody in the bullpen. I’m going to wear our guys down. … We got clipped in a couple really key situations.”

Kevin Ginkel (2.55 ERA) had warmed up before Sewald entered, but Ginkel did not pitch until the ninth inning when the score was one-sided. Lovullo said he had Ginkel and A.J Puk set up if the D-backs were ahead in that situation.

Lovullo has been open about wanting to see Sewald reclaim the closer’s role, but the veteran has now allowed runs in each of his last three appearances.

Diamondbacks create early chaos

The Diamondbacks (76-59) came back from two multi-run deficits over the first three innings.

Los Angeles jumped ahead 2-0 on a Freddie Freeman home run off starter Zac Gallen, but Arizona plated a couple runs to even the score. The D-backs left some meat on the bone, as Josh Bell — who hit an RBI single — was doubled off second base on a Suarez sacrifice fly.

Gallen struggled mightily to record outs in the second inning, as the first four batters reached base. L.A. scored three more runs, but from there, Gallen settled in with three scoreless innings. He retired his last eight hitters with five strikeouts to get through five frames.

“Falling behind guys, letting the bottom of the order get on, waste pitches, running my pitch count up,” Gallen said. “I saw the guys were battling on offense. I had to do my part to try and keep us in it. … It’s kind of a weird one. Not my favorite game.”

The Diamondbacks answered L.A.’s second-inning rally with a Corbin Carroll moonshot home run off Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw exited the game with left big toe pain after the Carroll home run.

Arizona evened the score in the third inning thanks to a Jose Herrera RBI single with two outs off Joe Kelly.

The Dodgers’ bullpen did its job to hold the lead late, although getting such a short start from Kershaw may have its impacts in this series. Both teams will be able to add an arm on Sunday when rosters expand to 28.

The Diamondbacks’ offense finished with 13 knocks, more than the Dodgers (10), although Arizona hit nine balls at least 98 mph off the bat for outs.

“We battled all day long,” Suarez said. “Like I always say, we never give up. We showed them we’re here to compete against you guys. They don’t have it easy, they don’t have an easy game.”

Chase Field pack for Diamondbacks-Dodgers

The announced attendance for Friday’s game was 46,606 with an expected sellout for Saturday.

“That was special,” Bell said. “Coming from Miami, it was definitely a different atmosphere for me. I know me and Kevin (Newman) were looking up, I forget what pitching change it was, just looking up like, ‘Wow, this feels like a postseason game.'”

Diamondbacks-Dodgers next game

Los Angeles evened the season series at 5-5 and extended its NL West lead to five games. The San Diego Padres won on Friday and are now in a virtual tie with Arizona.

The series at Chase Field continues Saturday at 5:10 p.m. Merrill Kelly (3.98 ERA) gets the ball for Arizona, while Los Angeles will hand it to Gavin Stone (3.33 ERA).

Catch the game on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.   

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