Sep 1, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third base Eugenio Suárez (28) reacts in front of Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman (25) after hitting an RBI double during the second inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
One day after suffering their biggest loss of the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers will look to bounce back in the finale of a four-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday in Phoenix.
Arizona is looking to split the series after hitting 17 hits in a 14-3 rout of the Dodgers on Sunday.
Randal Grichuk hit a three-run homer to cap an eight-run second inning and Eugenio Suarez also homered and had two RBIs. The Diamondbacks (77-60) snapped a three-game losing streak and moved within five games of the first-place Dodgers (82-55) in the NL West.
Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts pulled Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernandez from the game with the Dodgers trailing 8-0 in the bottom of the third inning.
The Dodgers’ bullpen should also be rested after Roberts let starter Justin Wrobleski absorb most of the damage on Sunday. The rookie allowed 10 runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings.
“They put us in a tough spot today, and now we have to find a way to save the pitching,” Roberts said. “I think the positive is that we’re back in top form for tomorrow and we have a chance to win the series.”
After losing the first two games of the series, Arizona manager Torey Lovullo was encouraged by his team’s focus Sunday.
“I’m not saying it was a must-win game, but it was a very, very important game,” Lovullo said. “We know the standings, we’re following them… but what impresses me the most is our ability to lock that down and execute and win the game.”
Los Angeles is scheduled to send right-hander Jack Flaherty (10-6, 3.07 ERA) to the mound in the series finale. He allowed three runs in six innings and two home runs in a 3-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.
“Overall, just two pitches I’d really like to get back,” Flaherty said. “I’ll just keep looking for ways to get outs. I’ve got to get further.”
Flaherty, 28, is 3-1 with a 3.49 ERA in five starts since being acquired from the Detroit Tigers on July 30.
Joc Pederson is 6-for-17 (.353) with two homers against Flaherty, who is 1-2 with a 4.41 ERA in six career starts against Arizona. Flaherty earned a win at Phoenix on May 18 while with Detroit, pitching six innings of two-run ball.
The Diamondbacks will respond with left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (2-0, 5.06 ERA), who received a no-decision after allowing five runs in 5 1/3 innings against the New York Mets on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old veteran is set to make his fifth start of the year after missing most of the season with a shoulder injury.
Hernandez is 8-for-21 (.381) with three homers against Rodriguez, who is 1-3 with a 5.85 ERA in four career starts against Los Angeles.
The Diamondbacks are monitoring the status of left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who was removed from Sunday’s game due to left calf tightness and is listed as day to day.
Arizona right fielder Corbin Carroll has reached base safely in 40 consecutive starts, breaking Arizona’s single-season streak set by Jay Bell in 1998.
“I’m just trying to do something to help the team win every day, that’s been the goal,” said Carroll, who went 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI on Sunday. “To be back in the space where I can do that now, or just give myself a better opportunity to do that, has been rewarding for me.”
–Field level media
