Dodgers hit two late solo homers, rally to beat D-Backs

The Dodgers have relied so heavily on the long-ball this season. They’ve been even more reliant on the solo homers as well.

Tonight was no different, as two late solo shots helped the Dodgers earn a crucial 3-2 victory over the first-place Diamondbacks.

Kike Hernandez hit a pinch-hit solo home run in the seventh to tie the game, and Justin Turner hit a solo homer in the eighth to give the Dodgers the lead, and the win.

The D-Backs jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a two-run shot from Paul Goldschmidt. For Arizona, this is the second night in a row all of their runs have come via the home run.

Hyun-Jin Ryu shut the D-Backs down the rest of the way. Ryu would go seven innings, striking out five and not issuing a run the rest of the game. Over the course of the next six innings, Arizona failed to get a man into scoring position.

Cody Bellinger led off the second inning with a double, but the offense was unable to bring him in.

For the second inning in a row, the Dodgers started the inning with a base hit. Yasiel Puig singled, and eventually would find himself on third after a sacrifice bunt and wild pitch advanced him.

Joc Pederson, who has struggled over the last few weeks, singled to right, bringing in Puig with his 48th RBI of the season, cutting the deficit to one run.

Turner would follow with a single to put runners on first and second with one out. Manny Machado struck out, and Bellinger lined out, ending the chances for LA to tack on more runs.

The Dodgers offense was non-existent until the 7th inning, when the long ball helped them tie the game.

Pinch-hitting for Ryu, Kike Hernandez hit a 2-2 fastball over the right-field fence, tying the game at two.

Dylan Floro pitched the eighth, relieving the brilliant Ryu.

Ketel Marte would reach first on an error to lead off the inning. After a sacrifice bunt and wild pitch, Marte stood at third base with two out. Steven Stouza stepped to the plate, with a chance to give the D-Backs the lead. After working an eight-pitch at-bat, Floro got Souza to ground out, escaping the inning untouched.

Zack Greinke went back out there in the bottom of the eighth, and it proved to be a costly decision. On the first pitch of the inning, Justin Turner hit his 11th homer of the year, putting the Dodgers ahead by one run.

After a rough week, Kenley Jansen came in and got the save. A one-out Goldschmidt double would put a runner on second base. Jansen proceeded to strike out David Peralta, and got Eduardo Escobar to ground out, ending the game and moving the Dodgers to one game out of first place.

Up Next

The Dodgers look to move into a first-place tie on Saturday night, as they’ll send Clayton Kershaw (6-5, 2.39 ERA) to the mound to face Patrick Corbin (10-5, 3.15 ERA)

Friday Particulars

Home Runs: Paul Goldschmidt (31) Kike Hernandez (19) Justin Turner (11)

WP: Dylan Floro (5-3) 1 IP, 1 SO

LP: Zack Greinke (13-9) 7.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 SO

SV: Kenley Jansen (33) 1 IP, 1 SO