The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-0 in their series opener at Chase Field thanks to the performance of Walker Buehler and some timely hits.
The right-hander was coming off a disappointing performance where he went five innings and allowed three runs with just two strikeouts against the Atlanta Braves. But this time out, Buehler picked up his first win of the season by pitching a complete-game shutout while striking out 10 batters, walking none and allowing three hits.
He entered the game with a 4.02 ERA, which was ranked 43rd among 50 qualified starters across baseball. Buehler’s shutout brought him to a 2.55 ERA, which is good for a spot in the top-25 starters.
Buehler finished his outing by retiring 16 of the final 17 batters faced. Additionally, he became the first Dodgers starter to reach the eighth inning this year and the first pitcher in baseball to throw a complete game.
It was also Buehler’s first career complete-game shutout and his third time overall going the distance.
.@Buehlersdayoff was definitely on tonight. pic.twitter.com/l1qC2GFTdB
— MLB (@MLB) April 26, 2022
.@treavturner has reached base in 35 consecutive games!#Dodgers 2, #Dbacks 0 pic.twitter.com/rJDgh8DJv2
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 26, 2022
When your starting pitcher is on a roll. pic.twitter.com/sbMmQoRnCJ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 26, 2022
.@buehlersdayoff has retired 10 straight. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hIcVnOruZq
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 26, 2022
425 feet for @will_smith30! pic.twitter.com/0aU9sG3CWs
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 26, 2022
While the Dodgers lineup didn’t have an amazing performance overall, they gave Buehler an early lead, and that was all they needed.
In the first inning, Mookie Betts opened the game with a walk and that was followed by a double from Freddie Freeman. Trea Turner then hit a double of his own to drive in both players and put L.A. up 2-0.
Betts worked to manufacture another run in the fifth inning with a single and stolen base. He ended up advancing to third and then scored on a two-out double from Max Muncy to make the score 3-0.
L.A. added an insurance run in the eighth inning when Will Smith hit a solo home run, his second of the season.
Freeman continues to hit at Chase Field
Freeman entered play with the highest on-base plus slugging percentage (1.044) by any visiting active player in Chase Field history. Of his 53 hits in the Diamondbacks’ home ballpark, 25 had gone for extra bases (15 doubles, one triple and nine home runs).
Freeman finished his night going 2-for-5 with a single and double, giving him 55 hits in the park and 16 doubles.
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