Dodgers Bats Come Alive in Comeback Win

Adrian Gonzalez, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier combine for seven RBIs as Dodgers outlast Arizona

When the Los Angeles Dodgers offense has sputtered this season, Arizona Diamondbacks pitching has been there to help them get on track, and Saturday’s game was no different.

A five-run fifth inning highlighted the Dodgers 8-6 victory against the Diamondbacks in front of 48,541 fans at Dodgers Stadium.

LA has averaged six runs per game against Arizona pitching in their seven matchups so far this year, and it’s a big reason why they’re 6-1 in those games. They’ve scored five runs a game against their other opponents.

The Diamondbacks jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the third inning thanks in part to a fielding error from shortstop Hanley Ramirez. Dodgers starter Dan Haren induced what could’ve been an inning-ending double-play ground ball, but Ramirez dropped the throw from second baseman Dee Gordon allowing Mark Trumbo to score. Two batters later Miguel Montero doubled home Paul Goldschmidt to cap the scoring.

The Dodgers committed two more errors Saturday giving them 19 on the season - the second most the big leagues behind the Washington Nationals 20. 

Their offense made up for it in the third inning when rightfielder Andre Ethier hit a three-run homer off of Arizona starter Mike Bolsinger, brining LA within one run. The RBIs gave Ethier 600 for his career.

“It’s even more of an honor than anything to be here that long and be able to do something like that,” Ethier said after the game.

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Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Ethier was given IVs before the game and it was questionable whether he would play, but the rightfielder quickly shot that down.

“No, I was ready to go all day,” he said.

Boslinger was making his first Major League start, but couldn’t get out of the fifth. He loaded the bases giving up three straight hits. Boslinger should’ve been out of the jam, but an error by third baseman Martin Prado allowed the tying run to score and his night was done. Oliver Perez relieved the rookie but didn’t fare any better. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez welcomed him with a two-run single that proved to be the decisive hit putting LA up for good. Matt Kemp tacked on insurance following Gonzalez with a two-run double, and when the dust settled the Dodgers plated five runs and led 8-4.

“We’re never out of a game with, especially with the offense that we have,” Kemp said after the game.

After going 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position Friday night, the Dodgers went 3 for 4 in Saturday night’s game.

Gonzalez continued his current tear extending his hitting streak to 14 games, and his two hits raised his average to .296.

Diamondbacks slugger Paul Goldschmidt has hit .326 lifetime against the Dodgers but he’s just 1 for 9 in the series, though he did hit a two-run single to pad Arizona’s early lead Saturday.

Closer Kenley Jansen - who came into the game with an 5.00 ERA - picked up his sixth save of the season.

The two teams close out their three-game series Easter Sunday with a 1:10 p.m. first pitch.

Josh Beckett will get the start for the Dodgers, and Josh Collmenter will take the mound for Arizona.
 

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