Tony Gonsolin (4-0) pitched into the sixth inning during the Dodgers’ 5-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night before 42,650 fans in Game 1 of an intense four-game series. between the two at Dodger Stadium.
Gonsolin struck out a season-high seven in a solid outing. The Dodgers pitcher had struck out as many as five players in a game during his career. The afternoon seemed cloudy for the Dodgers pitcher as Christian Walker rocked him with a second-inning home run, while David Peralta also added a second run, but the Dodgers pitcher was able to control himself.
Chris Taylor hit a two-run homer, while Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman scored during a game-turning, three-run fifth inning that turned the scoreboard, taking advantage of a serious error by Arizona center fielder Alek Thomas. Freeman then doubled for Betts to make it 3-2.
Max Muncy had a bunt to start the sixth and then Taylor hit the ball over the right-field wall as the Dodgers made it 5-2 in the sixth.
The Diamondbacks came close in the final inning to even the score after Peralta’s one-out, two-run homer off Craig Kimbrel, but the closer retired the next two players for his sixth save.
The Diamondbacks have lost three straight and dropped to .500 with a record of 18-18. Madison Bumgarner (2-2) was the losing pitcher. Thus, Arizona began an eight-game road trip with a loss.
The Dodgers and Diamondbacks will have a doubleheader this Tuesday starting the first game at 12 pm and the second at 7 pm Wednesday’s game will start at 1 pm, so the Dodgers and Diamondbacks will play four games in the space of 48 hours.
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