Neither Clayton Kershaw nor the Los Angeles Dodgers as a whole were sharp, but they still managed to come away with a 6-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, again in 10 innings. It gave the Dodgers a series win on the heels of dropping their first series of the season.
Mookie Betts got the Dodgers started with a leadoff home run on the second pitch of the game. It was Betts’ team-leading 14th, his longest of the year at 416 feet and it extended his hitting streak to 10 games.
Kiké Hernandez, among the Puerto Rican-born players wearing No. 21 to celebrate Roberto Clemente Day, doubled the Dodgers’ lead with a two-out solo blast in the second inning.
However, that was quickly coughed up as the Diamondbacks started a rally by putting the first three batters on base in the bottom of the second via bunt single, infield single that hit off third base and a walk.
Corey Seager booted a potential double play ball, resulting in his only play being at first base for an RBI groundout. Jon Jay’s sacrifice fly tied the game, and Tim Locastro’s RBI triple gave the Diamondbacks a lead.
The Dodgers followed suit in the fourth inning by loading the bases with none out. Gavin Lux’s drove a run in on a force out, and Hernandez collected his second RBI of the night by pulling a single into left field.
However, Kershaw again squandered the advantage, largely due to not receiving any help from his defense. Seager’s throwing error allowed Locastro to reach with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Nick Ahmed then blooped an RBI double down the right-field line, which Betts overran and then threw wildly to the plate. Ahmed advanced to third on the first two-error play of Betts’ career. It gave him four errors on the season, which doubled last year’s total.
Kershaw’s night came to an end after five innings. His two walks tied a season high and three runs were the second-most he’s allowed this year.
The game remained deadlocked until Chris Taylor’s leadoff single in the 10th inning scored Seager after advanced on a wild pitch. While Taylor gave the Dodgers a lead, AJ Pollock provided the all-important second run with an RBI base hit.
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