Chase Utley knocked in the go-ahead run with a double off the right field wall in the bottom of the eighth inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers snapped a four-game losing streak, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1 on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.
Utley hit the first leadoff homer of his career and brought home his longtime teammate Jimmy Rollins as the "Old Phillies" provided most of the fireworks for the Dodgers on the night.
"Obviously we've played together a long time," Utley said of Rollins. "I've driven him in a few times and he's driven me in a few times. It's good to have him healthy and back in the lineup."
Rollins led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a brilliantly executed bunt down the first base line for an infield single. After a sacrifice bunt by Ronald Torreyes, Utley hit a double off the wall to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.
One batter later, Corey Seager hit a two-run homer to right field to break the game open for the Boys in Blue. It was Seager's third home run overall as the 21-year-old rookie has now reached base safely in 18 straight starts to begin his career, extending the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise record.
"I really didn't know I had that record," said a surprised Seager after the game. "That's cool and exciting, but I'm more worried about the games and clinching this thing."
Kids these days ... http://t.co/1Ycm7sZG6w pic.twitter.com/mottoL8MRf — MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) September 24, 2015
Carlos Frias made a surprise start for the Dodgers on Wednesday after scheduled starter, Zack Greinke was a last-minute scratch before the game with soreness in his right calf.
"They told me to come with my mind ready to start the game tomorrow," said Frias of when he found out he was starting. "So I came ready to compete."
It was Frias' first start since June 30th, as the right-hander was on the 60-day disabled list with back problems. Frias pitched well on late notice, allowing one run on just one hit in four innings in a no-decision.
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"My fastball command was good," Frias said of his success. "I had a low pitch count of 45 pitches so I was hoping I could go three or four innings."
Frias only hit allowed was a solo home run to Paul Goldschmidt who has now homered against the Dodgers three consecutive days in a row and four straight overall at Dodger Stadium, tying a Diamondbacks franchise record.
"I tried to throw a first pitch strike and I threw it right down the middle," Frias added. "It was supposed to go in on him, but you can't make that kind of mistake to one of the best hitters in the game."
Chase Anderson surrendered the leadoff homer to Utley, the first time in the veteran second baseman's career that he had hit a homer against an opposing pitcher with the same name.
"I swung at the first pitch and was able to square it up and get it over the fence," Utley said. "I almost forgot what it was like to be in this type of atmosphere. It's refreshing, fun and exciting."
Despite the leadoff home run, Anderson pitched well, striking out a career-high 10 batters in six strong innings of work.
One night after allowing six runs in 2.1 innings of relief, the Dodgers bullpen pitched five scoreless innings of relief against Arizona's hard-hitting lineup, which ranks atop the National League in offensive efficiency.
"We do a good job when we have to shut down the opposing team," Dodgers reliever Luis Avilan said. "It was a huge night for us to get our confidence back. We did a nice job."
Chris Hatcher (3-5) picked up the win with a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen earned his 33rd save of the season by retiring the D-backs in the bottom of the ninth.
Game Notes:
Utley's leadoff homer was the Dodgers seventh this season and fourth this month. All four leadoff homers in September were hit by different players (Justin Ruggiano, Scott Schebler, Carl Crawford and Utley) the first time in MLB history that's happened.
Vin Scully was honored before the game with a plaque by the Guinness Book of World Records for the most consecutive seasons broadcasting for a single team.
