Pederson's slam fuels rout of D-backs
LOS ANGELES -- Rookie outfielder Joc Pederson blasted a grand slam in a five-run second inning and rookie starter Carlos Frias pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings as the Dodgers blanked the D-backs, 8-0, Friday night at Dodger Stadium.
Frias, in a tryout to replace injured starter Brandon McCarthy, outpitched former Minor League teammate Rubby De La Rosa, who allowed a solo shot to Justin Turner leading off the second inning. De La Rosa walked three of the nine batters before the slam by Pederson, who has homered in each of his last three starts. Andre Ethier also homered for the Dodgers, who lead the league with 35.
"I've always felt young guys bring energy and excitement," manager Don Mattingly said of Pederson. "It's fun watching him play. He's excited to be in the big leagues."
Scott Van Slyke, pinch-hitting for Sergio Santos with two outs in the eighth, hit a bases-loaded single to add a pair of runs.
Frias allowed four hits and one walk with three strikeouts. De La Rosa allowed five runs in five innings with six strikeouts and the three walks.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Redturn bomb: Don Mattingly was asked before the game why he would start Turner at third base ahead of Juan Uribe, who has an 11-game hitting streak. Mattingly said, "Matchups," and in Turner's first at-bat he hit a towering home run that just cleared the center-field fence.
Video: ARI@LAD: Turner launches solo homer to center field
BBs from Baez: Pedro Baez took over for Frias with two on and one out in the sixth, overcame a fielding error by Jimmy Rollins and struck out David Peralta to preserve the shutout. Baez also pitched the seventh, ending it by fanning Nick Ahmed with a 99-mph fastball.
Video: ARI@LAD: Baez strikes out Peralta to escape jam
Missed opportunity: The D-backs had a chance to get back in the game when pinch-hitter Danny Dorn and A.J. Pollock led off the sixth with back-to-back singles. Chris Owings, though, struck out and Paul Goldschmidt flied out and after an error loaded the bases, Peralta swung through a fastball ending the threat. More >
QUOTABLE
"I was laughing when I got to the plate and the next thing I knew the ball was right there and I hit it." -- Pederson, whose usual walk-up music was switched by teammates just before he hit a grand slam More >
WHAT'S NEXT
D-backs: The D-backs will try to get their offense back on track Saturday night when they take on the Dodgers in the second game of the series. Jeremy Hellickson will get the starting nod for Arizona.
Dodgers: Scott Baker gets his second start coming off a decent Dodgers debut in San Diego, in which he allowed three runs in seven innings, although two of the runs came on homers. He's 5-1 lifetime against the NL West.
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