Will Smith turned in a big night at the plate and Walker Buehler was dominant from the mound to help the Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 9-3, and win a fourth consecutive series.
Smith’s opposite-field two-run home run in the first inning gave the Dodgers an early lead, which Gavin Lux added to with an RBI base hit in the second. Justin Turner broke the game open with a three-run double in the sixth inning, and Mookie Betts added a sacrifice fly in the seventh.
L.A. continued to further pull away in the eighth inning on Chris Taylor’s two-run home run. It was somewhat fitting considering it came on the five-year anniversary of the Dodgers trading Zach Lee to the Seattle Mariners for Taylor.
Buehler pitched through early traffic after hitting Carson Kelly in the wrist and walking David Peralta with one out in the second inning. Kelly suffered a fractured right wrist as a result of being hit, further adding to what’s been a trying season for the Diamondbacks.
Ketel Marte led off the bottom of the fourth with a walk, and that was followed by the next 12 Diamondbacks batters being retired in order. Buehler extended his streak of completing at least six innings in all 14 starts and took the mound in the eighth for the first time this season.
However, that was when the bid for history cam to an end as David Peralta led off with a bloop single. Buehler struck out Pavin Smith, but then allowed a second hit and was removed from the game. It may have been just as well given Buehler’s high pitch count.
Mitch White allowed three runs — two charged to Buehler — before getting through the inning.
Buehler ties Dodgers franchise record
Although Buehler fell short of a no-hitter, he did tie Kirby Higbe for the longest unbeaten streak in Dodgers franchise history at 23 starts. Buehler had previously surpassed Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urias (21 each) for the L.A. franchise record by not taking a loss in 22 consecutive outings.
When taking into account the postseason, Buehler has not been tabbed with a loss in 30 straight starts. His last loss came Sept. 21, 2019, to the Colorado Rockies.
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