The Los Angeles Dodgers completed a two-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday, backed by a shutout performance by the pitching staff and a clutch hit from David Peralta in the late innings.
Bobby Miller pitched six-plus scoreless innings before the bullpen trio of Caleb Ferguson, Joe Kelly and Evan Phillips each threw a clean inning of their own. Ferguson got out of a jam put in place by Miller. While the pitching was dominant, the Dodgers lineup struggled to get anything going.
They had a chance in the fourth inning with the bases loaded, but Peralta grounded into a double play to keep the game scoreless. In the eighth inning, Peralta came up again with the bases loaded and two outs, and this time he drove in two with a single to right field.
The hit proved to be the difference in the game, and Peralta credited Dodgers manager Dave Roberts for believing in him against a left-handed pitcher, via SportsNet LA:
“First thing is I had two opportunities (with the bases loaded) and I didn’t do my job the first time. But the second time, Roberts gave me the trust and comfort to send me to the plate. That helped me a lot. I think everything started with that. I was just trying to slow down the game and look for a mistake to put a good swing on. … It means a lot. Before I went to home plate I looked at him and he just gave me the confident, ‘Let’s go. You got this.’ That’s what you need. I was like, ‘OK, don’t try to do too much. Just do your job.’ And I came through in that situation.”
Leaving Peralta in to face a lefty proved to be a bold decision and not one Roberts has made often. Although Peralta has been a solid contributor for the Dodgers, he’s seen limited at-bats against lefties in the strong side of a platoon role.
Kyle Nelson had already faced three hitters, so if Peralta was pinch-hit for with Kiké Hernández or Amed Rosario, the Diamondbacks could have countered with their right-hander Miguel Castro, who was warming up in the bullpen.
That made the decision Peralta versus Nelson, who was already struggling up until that point, or one of Hernández and Rosario entering the game for the first time against a fresh reliever.
Peralta now has 24 at-bats against southpaws this season, where he’s batting .333/.360/.333/.693. In his career against left-handers, Peralta is hitting .241/.303/.360.
David Peralta highlights against Diamondbacks
One night prior to the clutch hit, Peralta also played a huge role in the win against his former club, taking away a two-run home run from Carson Kelly that ended up being the difference for the Dodgers in their 5-4 victory.
In the short series, Peralta went 2-for-7 with two RBI, one run scored and a double.
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