Trea Turner provided the lone run the Los Angeles Dodgers scratched off Zac Gallen, and he later hit a second solo homer to supply their only offense in a 7-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Turner’s first home run didn’t come until the sixth inning, which was the final frame of the night for Gallen. He pitched through some early traffic by recording six strikeouts through the first two innings.
“I think Gallen was really good. Came out throwing the ball really well, had multiple pitches and kind of gave a different look than he had in the past,” Turner said after the Dodgers’ loss.
“We had to adjust and he did a good job of keeping us off balance. Couldn’t get much going off him and it’s one of those days. We had a couple opportunities early, runners in scoring position, and after that he kind of settled in and had his way.”
Turner’s home run came off Gallen’s four-seam fastball, which historically has been a dominant pitch for the right-hander. “I think different guys just have deceptive motions,” Turner said.
“A lot of guys throw 95 (mph), have movement, or this or that, and some guys you see well and some guys you don’t. I think he’s a guy that hides the ball really well. He has five pitches, he’s throwing 95, has a quick arm and hides it well.
“I think you’ve got to try to get to him early, get those hits when runners are in scoring position, because if not he can be really tough.”
Compounding the fact that L.A. fell to a 105-loss team was the San Francisco Giants defeating the Colorado Rockies to open a two-game lead in the National League West.
“Obviously we would love to have this one back, but you’ve got to move on,” Turner said. “Tomorrow is a new day. It’s the only game we can win on our schedule is the next one. Get ready for it and try to have some fun.”
Roberts: Dodgers needed to get to Gallen early
Heading into Saturday’s game, Gallen was 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in two prior starts against the Dodgers this season.
“Honestly, I thought we came in with good focus and energy. I really did. Just early on, they got on the board with a couple of runs and he just established his dominance against us and we really couldn’t catch our breath,” Roberts said.
“You’ve got to give credit to that guy. I don’t think it was guys being lackadaisical or not being ready to play.”
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