The Los Angeles Dodgers saw a large lead evaporate as their young relievers again struggled to finish out a game, but the end result still was a 9-8 victory that completed a series sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Justin Turner opened the scoring in the third inning with RBI single, which was followed by Albert Pujols lining a three-run homer to left field. It was Pujols’ 673rd home run of his career and sixth since signing with the Dodgers. Steven Souza Jr.’s RBI triple capped off the five-run inning.
Tony Gonsolin then sparked a rally with his leadoff double in the fourth and along with Chris Taylor, scored two batters later on AJ Pollock’s extra-base hit. Garrett Cleavinger’s sacrifice bunt attempt in the fifth resulted in a throwing error that brought a run in, and Pollock tacked on another with an RBI double to make it 9-1.
Heading into the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team only intended to have Gonsolin throw 45 to 60 pitches. Roberts revealed after the win that was due to Gonsolin experiencing some shoulder fatigue since his last start.
Effortless power from Albert. 🤯 #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/NU1UF6wQ75
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 20, 2021
Garrett Cleavinger's sac bunt to move the runners over ends up scoring a run for the #Dodgers. 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/HLUoTVcFri
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 20, 2021
Gonsolin was efficient early, needing just 22 pitches to get through two innings. He retired the side in order in the third but gave up a double and base hit to start the fourth. Gonsolin responded to retire the next two batters before giving way to Garrett Cleavinger.
The southpaw went 1.1 innings, followed by David Price who allowed a run in the sixth. Edwin Uceta, recalled prior to the game, was charged with five runs in the eighth and fell one out short of completing two innings.
Uceta was on the mound for three of those runs, with the others coming across due to Victor Gonzalez enduring his own struggles. A failure to cover the bag resulted in an infield single that loaded the bases, and Gonzalez compounded that by walking a run in.
Ketel Marte added a two-run single before Gonzalez could get out of the jam. With their lead down to a run, the Dodgers needed Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning, and he retired the side in order to earn the save.
Dodgers keep pace with Giants
In completing a sweep at Chase Field, the Dodgers kept pace with the San Francisco Giants and remain 1.5 games back of first place in the National League West. L.A. now continues their road trip with a three-game set against the San Diego Padres that begins Monday.
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