Dodgers' lead cut by one after rout in Arizona
PHOENIX -- The D-backs scored 10 runs in the first two innings and cruised to a 12-4 win over the Dodgers on Friday night at Chase Field.
Welington Castillo's three-run homer keyed a four-run first inning, while Paul Goldschmidt and Nick Ahmed added two-run homers as part of a six-run second inning. Ahmed finished the night 4-for-4 with three RBIs and was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle.
"We came out and swung the bats, did a really nice job," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "Good gameplan and the guys stuck to it and scored a bunch of runs."
The D-backs offense made for a short night for Dodgers starter Alex Wood (10-9). The left-hander allowed eight runs (six earned) in 1 2/3 innings. Robbie Ray (4-11) allowed two hits over five innings to earn the win.
Dodgers outfielder Justin Ruggiano hit a grand slam in the ninth to prevent a shutout.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Cycle watch: Ahmed wound up finishing a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. He collected a single in the first, a two-run homer in the second, an RBI double in the fourth and he doubled down the left-field line in the sixth. More >
"It was just a fun night for all of us," Ahmed said. "We had a good game plan going in."
Video: LAD@ARI: Ahmed tallies four hits, flirts with cycle
The early threat: The Dodgers were never in this game, but they had a slim chance to at least make Ray sweat in the third inning, when he walked two with a 10-run lead. But with two outs, the bases loaded and the D-backs' bullpen stirring, Adrian Gonzalez grounded out to shortstop.
Video: LAD@ARI: Ray induces groundout to end the jam
Lots of support: After the first two innings it seemed the only way that Ray would not get his first win since July 7 was if he could not go the requisite five innings. Three walks and numerous deep counts pushed his pitch count up, but Ray was able to get through five with 95 pitches.
"A weight is lifted off your shoulders," Ray said of getting a big lead early. "You know you can make the pitches that you need to make and that you know you can do in a 0-0 game, but it's just easier to do when you get that kind of run support."
Video: LAD@ARI: Ray holds Dodgers scoreless over five
QUOTABLE
"Pretty frustrating from the standpoint that it's late in the year and I haven't had one like this in a pretty long time. Chalk it up to one of those nights." -- Wood More >
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
In six games, Ruggiano has 10 RBIs and an OPS of 1.604.
Video: LAD@ARI: Ruggiano clubs a grand slam in the 9th
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
D-backs rookie Brandon Drury grounded to first base in the eighth inning and initially was called out when Scott Van Slyke flipped to pitcher Ian Thomas covering first. The D-backs, however, challenged the call and a replay review showed that Drury beat Thomas to the bag and the call was overturned.
Video: LAD@ARI: Drury awarded single after challenge in 8th
WHAT'S NEXT
Dodgers: Mike Bolsinger starts for the Dodgers in the 5:10 p.m. PT game against his former team. He is 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA in two starts against Arizona and 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA on the road this year..
D-backs: Former Dodgers farmhand Rubby De La Rosa will get the start against his former team Saturday night at 5:10 p.m. MST. De La Rosa is 6-2 with a 3.48 ERA over his last 10 starts.
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