The Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak to a season-high seven games on Tuesday night, shutting out the Arizona Diamondbacks, 9-0, to clinch another series victory.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, who has been the best pitcher in baseball this season by many metrics, tossed another gem in his 12 start of the season. He was able to overcome three errors to pitch seven shutout innings, allowing just three hits while striking out two without issuing a walk.
Ryu saw his 32-inning scoreless streak snapped a couple of weeks ago against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but immediately started a new streak that is currently at 18.2 innings. The win improved him to 9-1 on the season to go along with a 1.35 ERA and 0.78 WHIP with 71 strikeouts and just five walks in 80 innings.
While the defense behind Ryu committed three errors, there was one highlight play by Cody Bellinger. Ryu fielded a slow comebacker in front of the plate, but his throw to David Freese at first was wide.
Bellinger did a nice job of hustling over to the ball and fired a perfect strike to second base to get the runner. Bellinger now is tied for the MLB lead with eight outfield assists, and it was paired with his stellar hitting at the plate.
He went 1-for-4 with a walk on Tuesday night, driving a two-run triple to straightaway center field to give the Dodgers an early lead. Bellinger made solid contact in his next at-bat but flied out to deep center.
The Dodgers’ offense did what they did best in the victory, slugging 12 hits including six doubles, a triple and a home run. The long ball came courtesy of Kiké Hernandez as he hit a solo shot to right-center field in the seventh inning.
Hernandez has begun heating up at the plate as of late and now has 10 home runs on the season, joining Bellinger, Joc Pederson and Muncy as Dodgers to reach double digits so far.
