Brandon Beachy was next in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ ongoing search for a fifth starting pitcher as he faced the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields. In a competition between Beachy, Mike Bolsinger and Zach Lee, Beachy has battled inconsistency.
Once again placed in the leadoff spot, Andre Ethier opened the game by lining Zack Godley’s first pitch up the middle for a base hit. After Justin Turner drew a walk that put two on with one out, Chase Utley’s broken-bat single got by Paul Goldschmidt.
In his attempt to field the ball in shallow right field, Chris Owings booted it, allowing Ethier to score. Yasiel Puig chipped in with a sacrifice fly, and Yasmani Grandal hit a towering two-run home run, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 4-0 before Godley worked his way out of the inning.
Beachy retired the side in order, receiving some help from Turner and Utley, who both made a nice scoop in the process of recording the second out of the inning.
Beachy labored in the bottom of the second issuing a leadoff walk, which was followed by a base hit and another walk to load the bases with no outs. Welington Castillo’s sacrifice fly got the Diamondbacks on the board.
Godley’s bunt resulted in a force out at third, but Turner’s throwing error prevented a double play from being completed. Evan Marzilli and Owings each drove in a run, cutting the Dodgers’ lead to 4-3. Beachy escaped a second bases-loaded jam by striking out Goldschmidt swinging to end the inning.
Howie Kendrick gave the Dodgers some breathing room in the third with a solo home run that carried well beyond the 410′ foot sign in straightaway center field. Turner’s base hit and Puig’s double put runners at second and third with one out.
They were both stranded however, as Grandal flied out and Kiké Hernandez went down swinging.
CONTINUE READING: Brandon Beachy labors through three-plus innings
