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On a night that started out on such a wonderful note at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers fell flat, getting shutout 2-0 by the Diamondbacks in the first game of a four-game weekend series. Vin Scully, with the help of his grandchildren, threw out the first pitch in an emotional pregame ceremony, but that was the only thing close to a highlight for the Dodgers on Thursday.
Chris Young hit a two-run home run against Clayton Kershaw in the fourth inning, and it held up, giving the Diamondbacks their seventh consecutive win over the Dodgers.
The Dodgers managed just three hits through eight innings, but got a glimmer of hope when Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez singled to open the ninth against J.J. Putz. But neither runner scored, as Putz retired the next three safely, including a pop out by Juan Rivera to shortstop to end it.
The Dodgers fell 4 1/2 games out in the National League West, their largest deficit of the season.
Up Next
Aaron Harang gets the call for the Dodgers on Friday night, facing Trevor Cahill for Arizona.
Thursday's Particulars
Home Runs: Chris Young (14)
WP - Ian Kennedy (12-11): 6 1/3 IP, 2 hits, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts
LP - Clayton Kershaw (12-8): 6 IP, 9 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks, 9 strikeouts
Sv - J.J. Putz (27): 1 IP, 2 hits