Misplays and untimely hitting lead to Dodger loss

LOS ANGELES -- Not making a play hurt the Dodgers today, in particular when the Diamondbacks scored two runs in the top of seventh. Those runs made up part of the 4-run Arizona lead the Dodgers couldn't overcome as they lost 6 - 3.

Back to that seventh inning: after one out, Miguel Montero hit ground ball to Dee Gordon and Gordon found himself in a position to try and beat Montero to first which he didn't.  Immediately after that, Aaron Hill hit a base hit into left field and when Kemp threw too late to third base, the Diamondbacks had runners at second and third.

Martin Prado then hit a one-hop ground ball that was misplayed by Gordon for an error.  Both runners scored.

In the bottom of the seventh, Didi Gregorius bobbled Jamie Romak's grounder and then Drew Butera walked.  Justin Turner pinch-hit for starting-pitcher Josh Beckett and doubled off the base of the wall.  Romak scored but Butera held up too late, slipped, and was caught off third base for the first out of the inning. Dee Gordon was hit by a pitch.

Evan Marshall replaced Oliver Perez and Hanley Ramirez came up with runners on first and second and one out.  Marshall struck out Ramirez swinging to make it two outs.

Yasiel Puig, 2 for 3 thus far in the game, grounded out to the pitcher ending the threat.

The teams exchanged single runs in the beginning of the game, Arizona struck first on a solo shot by Paul Goldschmidt. The Dodgers followed in the bottom of the second when after a Adrian Gonzalez walk and a Scott Van Slyke infield single that got Gonzalez to third base, Gonzalez scored on Romak's ground out.

The score remained tied until the top of the fifth when, with two out, David Peralta doubled, stole third without a throw, and scored on a wild pitch. Cody Ross would then hit bloop shot down the RF line and Yasiel Puig threw out Ross as he tried to stretch it into a double.

The two starters pitched well enough, Beckett was on the mound for the 7th inning and saw his line end up with 7 IP, 5 hits, 4 runs, 3 earned, no walks and 6 strikeouts.  Paul Maholm relieved in the 8th and had a 1-2-3 inning.

Bronson Arroyo went 5 innings, allowed 5 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, and 1 strikeout, Oliver Perez gave up an unearned run in his 1 ⅓ IP, along with 2 hits, 1 walk and 1 strikeout.  The aforementioned Evan Marshall got the two batters he faced in the 7th.

Brad Ziegler came in to pitch the bottom of the 8th. Gonzalez singled, Kemp walked, Van Slyke grounded into a fielder's choice and Kemp moved to third base on Prado's error.  Romak then hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat.

Chris Perez entered to pitch the top of the 9th and gave up a Montero 2-run shot. Perez gave way to Jamey Wright with the bases loaded and one out. Wright got a 6-2 ground ball for the second out and then Butera made a force out at the plate on ball in front of the plate to end the inning.

Addison Reed relieved for Arizona with a four-run lead, so no save on the line facing Butera, a pinch-hitting Andre Ethier and Dee Gordon.  Butera flew out to right, Ethier singled to right. Gordon grounded out unassisted to first.  Ramirez doubled in Ethier to make it a three-run game. Puig flew out to right to end the game and the series.

Sunday particulars

Home runs: Paul Goldschmidt (15), Miguel Montero (10)

WP -  Bronson Arroyo (7-4): 5 innings, 1 run, 5 hits, 1 walk, 1 strikeout

LP  -  Josh Beckett (4-4): 7 innings, 4 runs (3 earned), 5 hits, 0 walks, 6 strikeouts