Howie Kendrick cleans up for Dodgers over Diamondbacks

LOS ANGELES -- Howie Kendrick delivered the two biggest hits of the night, leading the Dodgers to a 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.

One night after erupting for nine runs, the Dodgers trailed 1-0 in the sixth inning on Tuesday, when Kendrick hit an opposite-field home run against Robbie Ray to tie the score.

In the seventh inning, a Chris Heisey walk was followed by a Yasiel Puig double, then Adrian Gonzalez was walked intentionally to load the bases with two outs. Kendrick delivered again, this time with a single up the middle to score a pair, giving the Dodgers their first lead of the night.

Kendrick is 5-for-9 (.625) with four RBI since returning from missing three games and change with left knee stiffness.

Adam Liberatore struck out the only batter he faced, to end the seventh inning, picking up the victory.

He relieved Carlos Frias, who is going deeper and deeper into games of late, even if he didn't start out so hot. Arizona started off 5-for-7 in the first two innings, but thanks to Yasmani Grandal throwing out two runners trying to steal the D-backs didn't score until Frias uncorked a wild pitch for a 1-0 lead in the second.

But that was it for Frias, who threw an economical 88 pitches in 6⅔ innings, the third straight start he has recorded at least 20 outs.

Puig was 2-for-4 on the night and is 5-for-11 (.455) with two doubles in three games since his activation from the disabled list on Saturday.

Kenley Jansen struck out two in the ninth for his seventh save, and on the season has struck out 14 of his 26 batters faced (53.8%).

Up next

The Dodgers for their third consecutive home sweep of the D-backs on Wednesday night, sending Brett Anderson to the mound. Arizona will counter with Jeremy Hellickson.

Tuesday particulars

Home run: Howie Kendrick (6)

WP -Adam Liberatore (2-1): ⅓ IP, 1 strikeout

LP - Robbie Ray (1-1): 6⅔ IP, 4 hits, 2 runs, 4 walks, 4 strikeouts

Sv - Kenley Jansen (7): 1 IP, 2 strikeouts