Dodgers Edge Diamondbacks 10-9 in Thrilling Series Opener

Paul Sewald struggled in relief for the D-backs, allowing a pivotal three-run home run to Will Smith as the Dodgers held on for a 10-9 win.Photo byMegan EllisonUnsplash

PHOENIX – The Los Angeles Dodgers (81-54) scored three times in the seventh inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Will Smith, to narrowly defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks (76-59), 10-9, in the first game of a pivotal four-game series on Friday at Chase Field.

With one out and runners on first and second in the top of the seventh, D-backs reliever Paul Sewald replaced Joe Mantiply. After recording a quick out, Sewald allowed Smith’s three-run blast.

Sewald’s final line: 1.2 innings pitched, 2 hits, 2 earned runs, 1 walk, and 2 strikeouts on 24 pitches.

Game Recap:

Shohei Ohtani doubled to right field on the first pitch of the game. With one out, Freddie Freeman homered to make it 2-0.

The Diamondbacks responded in the bottom of the inning. Geraldo Perdomo doubled, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. walked, and Josh Bell’s single cut the lead in half, 2-1. Jake McCarthy was hit by a pitch, and Eugenio Suárez’s sacrifice fly tied the score at 2-2.

In the top of the second, the Dodgers answered with three consecutive singles to start the inning, making it 3-2. Ohtani was then hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Mookie Betts' sacrifice fly extended the lead to 4-2. After Ohtani stole his 43rd base of the season, Freeman grounded out, scoring Rojas to make it 5-2.

In the bottom of the second, Corbin Carroll hit a 427-foot solo home run off Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw to make it 5-3. After an injury delay, Joe Kelly replaced Kershaw, who exited in the second inning with what the team later reported as left big toe pain.

In the bottom of the third, Bell singled, Kelly hit McCarthy with a pitch, Suárez grounded into a 5-4-3 double play, Carroll walked on four pitches, and with Kevin Newman batting, Kelly balked, allowing Bell to score and make it 5-4. Newman walked, and with runners on first and second, Jose Herrera’s RBI single tied the score at 5-5.

After a rocky second inning, D-backs starter Zac Gallen (10-6, 3.87 ERA) settled in, striking out Ohtani, Freeman, Teoscar Hernández, and Gavin Lux between the fourth and fifth innings without giving up a run. Gallen pitched 5.0 innings, allowing 5 runs on 6 hits, with 2 walks and 7 strikeouts on 100 pitches.

Dylan Floro replaced Gallen in the sixth inning. Muncy greeted Floro with a leadoff double. Edman then popped out, Rojas grounded out, and with Ohtani up to bat, Floro was lifted for Mantiply. A wild pitch by Mantiply allowed the Dodgers to regain the lead, 6-5.

Smith’s three-run blast in the seventh made it 9-5, and Ohtani’s 43rd home run of the year, a solo shot in the eighth, made it 10-5.

In the ninth inning, Jake McCarthy’s two-run single cut the deficit to 10-7. Eugenio Suárez’s 21st home run of the season, a two-run blast, made it 10-9. However, Corbin Carroll popped out and Luis Guillorme flied out to end the game.