Joc Pederson's Mammoth Homer Leads Dodgers Over D-Backs, 6-2

A snake deserves no pity.

Joc Pederson blasted the longest home run of the season and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks, 6-2, on Saturday night at Chase Field.

Pederson put the exclamation point on a three-run fourth inning for the boys in blue when he launched the longest homer of the season for the Dodgers. The moon shot traveled an estimated 463-feet, and gave LA a 4-1 lead.

"It was effortless," Pederson said of the home run swing. "I hit it and it didn't feel like anything. I was just trying to get him [Reddick] in anyway I could and I was able to so it worked out. It was a big run."

As the Dodgers inch closer to the magic number to clinch the National League West, every win counts, including divisional games like this against the last-place D-backs.

"We're headed in the right direction at the right time of the year," added Pederson.

Despite the Snakes struggles this season, the Dodgers can't look past series like this with their showdown with the rival San Francisco Giants looming.

Rookie Brock Stewart (2-2) made a spot start and continued to impress. The right-hander allowed two runs on five hits with one walk in six strikeouts in five innings for the Dodgers. 

After allowing 14 runs in his first two starts this season, the Branch Rickey Minor League Pitcher of the Year has settled in, surrendering just three runs to go with a 1.80 ERA in his last three starts.

"No matter what hand I'm dealt, I just try and go out there and compete," Stewart said of his turn around this season.

Stewart's only two mistakes on the night came on solo home runs to Jean Segura and Wellington Castillo, the only runs scored by Arizona in the game.

"Those two home run pitches were both supposed to be off the plate," Stewart said of the mistakes. "The second one to Castillo was a bad pitch. I missed by spot big time."

Shelby Miller (2-12) continued his 2016 struggles as the former Braves ace lost for the 12^th time this season. Miller allowed four runs on seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 5 and 1/3 innings of work.

The Dodgers added two insurance runs late in the game on an RBI double for Chase Utley in the seventh and a wild pitch that scored Corey Seager from third in the top of the ninth. 

Kenley Jansen struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth in a non-save situation to close out the game for the Dodgers.

Los Angeles leads the NL West by five games after the Giants blew the save in the 9th inning at AT&T Park in San Francisco, falling to the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2. The Dodgers Magic Number to clinch the division has officially reached "countdown" status at 10.

Players of the Game:

Joc Pederson: Two-run home run.
Jean Segura: Solo home run.
Wellington Castillo: Solo home run. 

Three Takeaways:

1. Youth Movement: The Los Angeles Dodgers started their 64^th rookie starting pitcher on Saturday and will start their 65^th in Jose De Leon on Sunday. The Dodgers lead the MLB by leaps and bounds in that category.

#Dodgers lead the Major Leagues in starts by rookies by leaps and bounds this season. Stewart 64 and De Leon 65 pic.twitter.com/XX3BN1Ezcb — Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) September 18, 2016

2. Joc Jam: Joc Pederson hit longest home run of the season a 463-foot bomb off Shelby Miller.

Joc Pederson destroyed a baseball.

Enjoy! (via @MLB) pic.twitter.com/CqyEwORn4k — Chavez Ravine Fiends (@RavineFiends) September 18, 2016

3. Mr. Consistency: Adrian Gonzalez recorded his 150^th hit in the game and is the first active player to have at least 150 hits and 15 homers in 11 straight seasons.

Adrián González is the only big leaguer who has at least 150 hits and at least 15 HR every year since 2006. pic.twitter.com/IAShVBCxTh — Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) September 18, 2016

Up Next:

Dodgers (84-64): Rookie Jose De Leon becomes the 65^th different rookie pitcher to start for Los Angeles when he takes the mound on Sunday.

Diamondbacks (62-86): Robbie Ray looks to even the series on Sunday at 1:10PM PST.

All quotes courtesty of TWC's SportsNetLA.