Diamondbacks Dominate Dodgers with Explosive Second Inning, Pfaadt Earns Ninth Win

The Diamondbacks erupted for eight runs in the second inning, leading to a commanding 14-3 victory over the Dodgers on Sunday in Phoenix.Photo byMat WelleronUnsplash

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks (77-60) erupted for eight runs, sending 11 hitters to the plate in the second inning during a 14-3 rout of the Los Angeles Dodgers (82-55) on Sunday at Chase Field.

In the pivotal inning for the Snakes, Randal Grichuk doubled—his 16th of the season—followed by an RBI single from Eugenio Suárez. José Herrera’s RBI single made it 2-0.

Geraldo Perdomo then lined a 95.9 mph four-seam fastball from Justin Wrobleski down the left-field line for a two-run double, extending the lead to 4-0. After Corbin Carroll drew a walk, Josh Bell’s two-out RBI single made it 5-0.

Grichuk, who had started the inning with a double, launched a massive 427-foot three-run home run, giving the Diamondbacks a commanding 8-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third, Suárez’s solo home run, his 22nd of the season, made it 9-0.

The Dodgers broke through in the fourth when Chris Taylor singled, Gavin Lux doubled, and Tommy Edman’s RBI groundout made it 9-1.

Winning pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (9-7, 4.32 ERA) was cruising through the first five innings, striking out nine batters on his way to securing his ninth win of the season.

However, in the sixth, Los Angeles managed back-to-back hits by Will Smith and Tommy Edman off Pfaadt, leading to another run and making it 9-2.

After Austin Barnes’ RBI single made it 9-3, D-backs Manager Torey Lovullo brought in Joe Mantiply, who struck out Shohei Ohtani for the third out.

Pfaadt finished his outing with 5 2/3 innings pitched, allowing eight hits, three runs, two walks, and striking out 10 over 98 pitches. He consistently got ahead in the count, using his fastball and sweeper for first-pitch strikes to keep the Dodgers' hitters off balance.

Pfaadt mixed his pitches effectively, utilizing his four-seam fastball 42% of the time, his sweeper 26%, sinker 18%, changeup 11%, and curveball 3%. This strategic pitch distribution kept the Dodgers' hitters off their timing, contributing to his strong outing.

The D-backs responded when Perdomo singled and stole his seventh base of the season, setting up Carroll's RBI single that extended the lead to 10-3 in the sixth inning.

In the seventh, Paul Sewald replaced Joe Mantiply. The beleaguered closer pitched a perfect inning, allowing no hits, no runs, no walks, and striking out none over 19 pitches.

The Snakes tacked on two more runs in the seventh after Jake McCarthy doubled—his 12th of the season—followed by Kevin Newman's single, which scored both Randal Grichuk and McCarthy. McCarthy crossed the plate on a throwing error by Tommy Edman, extending the lead to 12-3.

After being down 12-3, the Dodgers put in Enrique "Kiké" Hernandez to pitch the eighth. The D-backs scored two more runs, bringing the final score to 14-3.

Dylan Floro pitched two solid innings, allowing just one hit with no runs or walks, while striking out three batters over 30 pitches.

Journalist Brian Cano Sr. covers the Arizona Diamondbacks and more for Tysonomo Multimedia. You can follow him on X via @BrianCanoSr