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Dodgers Highlights: Will Smith, Justin Turner & Chris Taylor Provide Run Support For Walker Buehler

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports

Walker Buehler took a no-hitter into the eighth inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers won a fourth consecutive series by defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks, 9-3, in the second game of their weekend series at Chase Field.

After not scratching until late in the game on Friday, the Dodgers were quick to jump on the Diamondbacks. Will Smith lifted an opposite-field two-run home run in the first inning and Gavin Lux added an RBI single in the second.

Buehler’s dominant performance upheld the 3-0 lead until Justin Turner broke the game open in the sixth inning with a three-run double.

Mookie Betts’ sacrifice fly scored AJ Pollock in the seventh inning, and Chris Taylor punctuated the night with a two-run homer in the eighth. Smith finished 3-for-4 and a triple shy of the cycle.

Buehler faced some traffic in the second inning when he hit Carson Kelly with a pitch and walked David Peralta. However, he escaped the jam by inducing Pavin Smith into a double play. Ketel Marte walked to lead off the fourth inning, which Buehler followed by retiring 12 in a row.

Buehler extended his streak of completing at least six innings in every start this season and reached the eighth for the first time in 2021. However, the no-hit bid was immediately lost as Peralta led off with a flare single.

Buehler gave up a second hit with one out and was removed from the game at 108 pitches. He fell short of throwing a no-hitter but set a season high with 11 strikeouts.

Buehler ties Dodgers record

In earning the win, Buehler tied Kirby Higbe for the longest unbeaten streak in Dodgers franchise history at 23 starts. Buehler had previously surpassed Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urias for the L.A. franchise record by not taking a loss in 22 consecutive outings.

When including the postseason, Buehler has not been tabbed with a loss in 30 straight starts. His last defeat came Sept. 21, 2019, to the Colorado Rockies.

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com