The Los Angeles Dodgers topped the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-3 on Wednesday after playing four games within 42 hours and eight games in seven days.
The team won its fifth game in a row after Justin Turner hit a three-run home run against Zach Davies in the fourth inning in front of 35,643 fans at Dodger Stadium.
In the fourth inning, Turner hit his fourth home run of the season against Davies after facing seven pitches at-bat. Of those pitches, six were changeups. Turner pummeled the last pitch over the short fence in left-field, ending the Dodgers’ 2-1 deficit.
Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler threw a 97.6mph fastball in the second inning. This pitch marked Buehler’s fastest pitch of the season. It led to a run for the Diamondbacks as Geraldo Perdomo smashed a ground ball to second base and Josh Rojas dashed in from third.
That played a key role in the Dodgers’ 5-3 victory, which gave them a four-game sweep of the Diamondbacks and a five-game winning streak. The four-seam fastball was Buehler’s best weapon as his curveball, cutter, and changeup mix were less effective than he preferred. It proved valuable in the fifth inning as Arizona loaded the bases with consecutive singles.
Post-game interview
During his previous start on Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies, Buehler gave up five runs in five innings. On Wednesday, Buehler allowed two runs.
“Not a great outing,” Buehler said. “It’s my eighth start. I probably should be in game shape by now, but I’ve struggled. It’s tough to not go and perform the way you think you ought to.”
“It’s tough, but no one complained,” manager Dave Roberts said.
Turner, just like Buehler, is still trying to figure things out. While he batted only .203, he hit .361 with runners on base. He is leading the Dodgers with 28 RBIs.
“It certainly helps to have all these guys in front of you,” Turner said, referring to his teammates. “It’s a lot more fun to go up and hit.”
The Dodgers went back in front in the fourth inning after Turner hit a 3-2 pitch from Davies to the lower left-field pavilion. This was his 1,300th major league game. In 2014, Turner was invited to spring training as a non-roster invitee. He was named National League Championship Series MVP in 2016.
“It’s kind of in and out,” Turner said of his hitting. “I feel pretty consistent since the last road trip.”
Buehler was in trouble in the fifth inning as the Diamondbacks’ Alek Thomas, Jake Hager, and Daulton Varsho filled the bases with consecutive singles. However, he struck out Jordan Luplow and Pavin Smith before Christian Smith grounded out to Turner, who stepped onto third base ending the inning.
“Kind of the first time all year I tried to reach back to grab something and it’s been there,” Buehler said. “I haven’t done as much this year to get out of things.”
