No homers, but Dodgers’ offense still a hit

In a contrast from Monday’s opener, the Dodgers didn’t use the home run on Tuesday, but that didn’t stop the merry-go-round against the Diamondbacks in a 5-2 win over Arizona.

The fourth straight win for the Dodgers kept Los Angeles four games in front of the Giants in the National League West, now with 24 games remaining in the regular season.

Shelby Miller, for whom the Diamondbacks paid a king’s ransom during the offseason, continued his nightmare campaign. The Dodgers got him for single runs in the first and second innings, then rallied for three in the third.

In all, Miller’s night was done after just 4⅓ innings, having allowed eight singles and three doubles. His 11 hits allowed marked the ninth time the Dodgers tallied at least 10 hits off one pitcher in 2016, and the sixth time since the All-Star break. It was one behind the season high of 12, against Mike Leake (July 23) and Gerrit Cole (Aug. 13).

Miller suffered his 11th loss in 13 decisions this season, and his 6.89 ERA ranks dead last among the 167 major league pitchers with at least 70 innings pitched in 2016.

Corey Seager was in the middle of things offensively for the Dodgers, with two more hits and two runs scored, the latter extending his LA Dodgers rookie record with 93 runs.

Justin Turner and Josh Reddick each had two hits, a run scored and a run batted in, with Turner including a double in his efforts.

Andrew Toles, making his first start in a week — you know, that game he won with a grand slam — continued his best Marlon Anderson and Ronnie Belliard impression with a double and a single, driving in one and scoring another. Since returning from the minors on Aug. 21, Toles is 13-for-27 (.481) with eight extra-base hits and 13 RBI in 29 plate appearances.

With 11 hits on the night, the Dodgers reached double digits in hits for the 24th time in 47 games since the All-Star break, 51.1% of the time. They amassed 10+ hits 27 times in 91 games before the break (29.7%).

Pitcher Ross Stripling even got into the act with a single inside the first base line to drive home the go-ahead run in the second inning. It was Stripling’s first major league RBI, but also his first run batted in as a professional, now with 52 plate appearances between the majors and minors.

All that offense helped Stripling on the mound, where he was sharp in his five innings. He allowed a solo home run to A.J. Pollock in the first inning, but then allowed only two more hits and one more run the rest of the way, striking out five with no walks to pick up the win.

Stripling did leave after five innings and just 66 pitches, though it is unknown whether the early exit was for a physical reason or just that the Dodgers currently have a 12-man bullpen.

Since the All-Star break, Stripling has a 3.67 ERA in 41⅔ innings, with 28 strikeouts and just six unintentional walks.

Up next

The Dodgers try for the sweep on Wednesday night, a 7:10 p.m. PT start, with Brock Stewart on the mound in the finale. Arizona counters with left-hander Robbie Ray.

Like the Cubs did for an inning on television when they were in Los Angeles on Aug. 28, the Diamondbacks will simulcast part of Vin Scully’s broadcast on Wednesday night.

Tuesday particulars

Home run: A.J. Pollock (2)

WP - Ross Stripling (4-6): 5 IP, 3 hits, 2 runs, 5 strikeouts

LP - Shelby Miller (2-11): 4⅓ IP, 11 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), 2 strikeouts

Sv - Kenley Jansen (42): 1 IP, 2 strikeouts