The Los Angeles Dodgers jumped on Merrill Kelly early and received a complete game from Walker Buehler in a 4-0 shutout of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Kelly faced trouble a mere nine pitches into the game as he walked Mookie Betts and followed that by allowing consecutive doubles to Freddie Freeman and Trea Turner. Turner’s scored Betts and extended his on-base streak to 35 games.
Chris Taylor doubled in the second inning and Gavin Lux reached on an infield single, but both were stranded. Kelly pitched through more traffic after Will Smith singled and Taylor walked in the fourth.
The Dodgers nearly squandered another opportunity in the fifth inning, which began with a Betts leadoff single and stolen base. However, Max Muncy provided insurance with a two-out RBI double.
Although the Dodgers lineup didn’t take full advantage of putting runners on base, Buehler turned in his best start of the season. He reverted back to raising his hands over his head when pitching out of the windup, and got through nine efficient innings.
Buehler gave the Diamondbacks a steady dose of changeups and curveballs to complement a fastball that had an uptick in velocity.
The only baserunners he allowed were a leadoff single to Christian Walker in the second inning, Daulton Varsho’s two-out base hit in the third, Seth Beer reaching on a hit by pitch in the fourth, and David Peralta’s two-out single in the ninth.
Buehler finished his start with a season-high 10 strikeouts and by retiring 16 of the final 17 batters faced. Buehler additionally became the first Dodgers starter to reach the eighth inning this year and the first pitcher in baseball to throw a complete game.
It marked Buehler’s first career complete-game shutout, and his third time overall going the distance.
Top of Dodgers lineup
Betts, Freeman, Turner and Muncy each had at least one hit and an RBI or run scored. Betts and Freeman were particularly potent, combining to go 3-for-8 with three runs scored and two walks.
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