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The Dodgers had their attention divided on Monday night, with the team playing in Arizona at the same time as the MLB Draft.
But there is someone who gave the game their undivided attention. Walker Buehler.
Buehler’s performance against the Diamondbacks was one of his best this season, if not the best. He pitched eight innings, only allowing one run to reach home plate from two hits and no walks, helping lead the Dodgers to a 3-1 victory in Phoenix. He also struck out 11 batters, a season-high for the right hander.
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The 24-year-old was perfect through four innings, but Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker took away the perfect game, no-hitter and shutout all with one swing of a bat. This is the eighth homer Buehler has given up this season in 12 starts.
Kenley Jansen came in to close out the game in the ninth inning after Buehler reached 102 pitches after eight innings. Jansen gave the Diamondbacks a glimpse of hope when he allowed a two-out ground rule double to bring the tying run up to the plate. Their hope was short-lived, as he got the third out in just two pitches.
Starting on the mound for the D-Backs was Robbie Ray, who also had a great outing. He went for seven inning and allowed three runs to score from six hits and a walk. The left-hander struck out nine batters.
The only time the Dodgers were able to score was in the fourth inning, when Ray allowed two runners on with a single and a walk, followed by a Corey Seager dinger to make it a 3-0 game.
Corey in the House. pic.twitter.com/4Ejz5nbi3U
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 4, 2019
Seager has now hit at least one home run in each of the last four series.
Will Smith continued his great start in the majors, getting his fifth hit in as many games. He added to his resume on Monday, snagging his first stolen base.
Alex Verdugo and Justin Turner also added to their hot streaks, each going 2-for-4 on the night.
Monday particulars
WP: Walker Buehler (8.0 IP), 2 H, 1 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 11 K
LP: Robbie Ray (7.0 IP), 6 H, 3 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 9 K
SV: Kenley Jansen (1.0 IP), 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Home runs: Corey Seager (8), Christian Walker (11)
Up next
The Dodgers try to clinch the series on Tuesday. They will send Hyun-Jin Ryu to the mound to get the job done.