The Diamondbacks gave up on their season after trading away key players at the Trade Deadline on Monday, and they played like the sellers they were this week. The team that was probably predicted to give the Dodgers the most trouble this season has done nothing of the sort, as the Los Angeles improved their record against the Diamondbacks to 6-1 this season with a three game sweep.
Julio Urias pitched a great game 1, hurling what might have been his best game since returning from shoulder surgery. He gave up a home run that barely got out of the stadium, both other than that, he was pounding the zone and working quickly, both signs that he's on his game. And on his game he was, pitching six shoutout innings and only giving up one run. He was dominant and just in total control of the game, which was great to see after his last two starts were very shaky. Chris Taylor hit two doubles and had 4 RBI in the Dodgers' 6-3 win.
Returning from the Injured List and missing his last start, Walker Buehler pitched 5 brilliant innings. Obviously, he could've pitched another two innings probably, but the Dodgers didn't want to push him after returning from the IL. He continued to look like himself after his rough start to the season. With his 6 scoreless against the Rockies and the 5 scoreless on Wednesday, Buehler has lowered his season ERA to a much more fitting, although still a bit disappointing, 3.60. The Dodgers were held scoreless through the first 8 innings of the game by mostly Zac Gallen, the Diamondbacks starter, until Mookie Betts hit a solo homer to tie the game at 1. Kenley Jansen, the reigning National League Reliever of the Month, walked in the automatic runner at second in the 10th inning to give the Dbacks a 2-1 lead. Jansen however, didn't give up any hits and the walk easily could've (and should've) been a strikeout, as it was a fastball on the edge of the zone, a pitcher's pitch. Luckily, Chris Taylor's bunt in the bottom of the frame enticed the Dbacks pitcher to try to throw to 3rd to get Muncy, the runner at second, and the ball was overthrown, allowing the Dodgers to tie the game. Later in the inning, Will Smith hit a walk-off single to give the Dodgers a 3-2 win.
On Thursday night, Clayton Kershaw struck out the 2,500th batter of his career, becoming the 3rd youngest pitched ever to do so. Kershaw was absurdly dominant, striking out 8 while walking two and not allowing a hit until there were two outs in the 6th, on an infield single. Clayton was only able to pitch 6 scoreless innings due to his pitch count nearing 100, but it was arguably his best start of the year. His ERA on the season is now a stunning 1.50. AJ Pollock hit a pinch hit home run, and Corey Seager had three hits, with Betts, Chris Taylor, and Kiké Hernandez each hitting an RBI single. The bullpen was great, and while Floro allowed a run, other than a leadoff walk, he looked like his usual, dominant self. Blake Treinen pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings over the final 2 games of the series, which is really nice to see given he hasn't pitched a ton on back to back days this season and is really stepping up into the set-up man role.
The Dodgers look to keep a 5 game winning streak alive on Friday as they open up a 3 game set at home vs. the Rockies. They have won their last ten games at home and haven't lost a series all season. If they can go from 29-10 to 30-10 tonight, it will tie an all time Dodgers franchise record for best start through 40 games.
Photo Credit: Dodgers Twitter