Dodgers pump up the volume to sweep Diamondbacks

Offense was peppered throughout the night, finishing off a three-course sweep of the Diamondbacks, the final decision a 5-3 Dodgers win on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.

The win moved the Dodgers to within a game and a half of the Giants in the National League West.

The Dodgers scored in different ways. Sometimes it was via power, like with Max Muncy’s home run in the fifth inning, his 34th of the season. Another run. came when Trea Turner beat out a ground ball to second base to extend the sixth, another gear of speed that very few players have.

But mostly the Dodgers constantly threatened all night.

After going down in order in the opening frame, the Dodgers put at least two runners on base in the next five innings, and scored in four different innings on the night, their fifth straight game scoring at least five runs. They even stole two bases.

Justin Turner was honored along with Max Scherzer on the field before Wednesday’s game, as nominees for the 2021 Roberto Clemente Award. Turner and Scherzer, along with Clayton Kershaw and Albert Pujols, wore Clemente’s number 21 on Roberto Clemente Day throughout MLB.

Turner while wearing 21 had three singles, scoring twice.

Los Angeles reached base 18 times on the night, thanks to 14 hits, three walks, and a hit by pitch. The Dodgers have won six straight games.

Julio Urías didn’t allow a hit until the fourth, but then briefly lost the lead, thanks to the speed of Josh Rojas. Arizona’s third baseman nearly hit into an inning-ending double play, but beat out the throw to first base. Then he stole second base to put a pair of runners in scoring position.

Stolen bases have been the bane of Dodgers pitchers and catchers all year, with the team allowing an MLB-high 100 steals. But Urías has been generally excellent at preventing the running game all year. The steal by Rojas was just the second allowed in 29 starts by Urías, in five attempts.

The Diamondbacks immediately cashed in with a two-run single by old friend Henry Ramos, who later robbed Mookie Betts of extra bases with an incredible catch at the left field wall. Ramos was also wearing number 21.

Those two runs were all Urías allowed in his five innings, pulled after 76 pitches.

“Just keeping an eye on him,” manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s regular rest, and he’s got an extra day heading into his next start. I thought he was fighting his delivery all night.”

Home cooking

Wednesday’s win finished off a perfect homestand for the Dodgers, who swept their third straight home series, dating back to August 30 to September 1.

At 52-23, the Dodgers have the best home record in MLB this year. If they the remaining six home games, they’d fall one game shy of the club’s best home record since moving to Los Angeles. That came in 2019 (59-22), which was two games better than in 2017 (57-24).

This is the Dodgers’ 60th season of residency at Dodger Stadium, and the top five home records have come in the last seven seasons.

Of note

Muncy suffered a right knee contusion sliding into second base while getting caught stealing in the third inning. He stayed in the game, and later homered. Muncy is expected to start on Friday in Cincinnati.

Wednesday particulars

Home runs: Max Muncy (34); Christian Walker (8)

WP — Julio Urías (18-3): 5 IP, 3 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts

LP — Merrill Kelly (7-10): 4⅔ IP, 10 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, 1 strikeout

Sv — Kenley Jansen (33): 1 IP, 3 strikeouts

Up next

The Dodgers are off on Thursday, heading to Cincinnati for the start of a nine-game road trip. Walker Buehler starts Friday night (4:10 p.m. PT; SportsNet LA, MLB Network), with right-hander Luis Castillo pitching for the Reds.