After dropping the series opener in 11 innings, the Los Angeles Dodgers bounced back with a shutout win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday, scoring some early runs and largely cruising to a 4-0 victory.
The Dodgers had just one baserunner in the final eight innings on Friday night, so it was important for the offense to get going early in the second game of the series.
Max Muncy ensured that happened when he launched a solo home run to center field to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. His 28th home run of the season traveled an estimated 428 feet and wound up being the only offense the Dodgers needed.
Though, they did add another run in the third inning and two more in the fourth, with Kristopher Negrón and Russell Martin each contributing RBI singles. Kenta Maeda also helped his cause with a safety squeeze play.
Even more imperative was Maeda got the job done on the mound to earn his first victory since May 31 and eighth overall on the season.
The outing was perhaps Maeda’s best all year as he blanked the Diamondbacks for seven innings while allowing just three hits. He struck out six without walking a batter, staying in control all night and only needed 93 pitches to get through seven frames.
After the Dodgers bullpen, specifically closer Kenley Jansen, blew a late lead in Friday’s loss, they were able to bounce back in a second look at the Diamondbacks.
Caleb Ferguson and Joe Kelly combined to toss a scoreless eighth, and despite it not being a save situation, Jansen came in and shut the door in the ninth.
Los Angeles now has 13 shutouts as a team this season, which is the most in all of baseball. Their lead in the National League West returned to a season-high-tying 18 games, and they still hold the best record overall at 78-41.
