The Los Angeles Dodgers added to their recent hot stretch at home by routing the Arizona Diamondbacks, 9-1, to win a sixth game in the past seven at Dodger Stadium. They were led by home runs from Mookie Betts, Chris Taylor and Gavin Lux.
Betts provided Julio Urias with an early lead by cubbing his second leadoff home run and fifth overall this season. The Diamondbacks tied the game in the top of the second inning on Nick Ahmed’s two-out RBI double and the score remained deadlocked until the fifth.
The D-Backs elected to have Corbin Martin face the top of the Dodgers lineup for a third time on the night despite making his first start of the season. Max Muncy singled with one out and Taylor drove the ball the other way for his first home run since April 25.
Taylor was back in the lineup for the first time since being scratched on Sunday because of right wrist soreness.
First career Grand Slam for Gavin Luxpic.twitter.com/SGVrKrgLns
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) May 19, 2021
The Dodgers’ 3-1 lead remained intact until the seventh inning when Albert Pujols was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Lux then broke the game open with his first career grand slam, further adding to what’s been an impressive showing during the month of May.
“Gavin has freed himself to be himself on a baseball field,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the win. “What that means he’s not afraid to make mistakes.”
Dodgers get another strong start
Although Urias failed to protect a 1-0 lead, he quieted the Diamondbacks after that point. Ahmed’s RBI double was followed by Urias retiring 13 batters in a row, with the string not snapped until Eduardo Escobar’s soft leadoff single in the top of the seventh.
Urias was removed after allowing a second base hit in the inning that beat the shift. Blake Treinen stranded both inherited runners, and Urias finished with just the one run allowed on three hits over 6.2 innings.
He improved to 6-1 on the season and has logged at least six frames in six of nine starts.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, participate in our shows and giveaways, and more!
