D-backs homer 3 times in rout of Dodgers
LOS ANGELES -- Robbie Ray out-pitched Alex Wood, and the D-backs slugged three home runs at Dodger Stadium Tuesday night in an 8-0 win over the Dodgers, whose losing streak reached four games.
The Giants' win in San Diego meant the Dodgers' magic number to win the NL West remained at seven. Los Angeles is one-half game ahead of the Mets for the home-field advantage if those clubs meet in the playoffs.
Ray (5-12) allowed three hits in six innings for only his second win since July 7. Wood (11-11 overall, 4-5 with L.A.) was charged with two runs on three hits in 6 1/3 innings. Wood was coming off his best start of the year, an eight-inning one-hitter.
"I feel good," said Wood, who hasn't thrown a between-starts bullpen session for a month. "I've made a conscious effort during this month to really work on taking care of my body and make adjustments to feel good when I go out there every five days."
• No panic for Dodgers despite 4-game skid
A.J. Pollock slugged his 18th home run in the seventh to chase Wood, and Paul Goldschmidt followed with his 30th one batter later off reliever Chris Hatcher. Goldschmidt has 20 home runs against the Dodgers and is hitting .400 with seven homers and 17 RBIs in 17 games against them this year.
Brandon Drury also homered, the first of his career, a three-run shot in a five-run ninth inning.
"I thought the guys were really into it, intense, and played a really good game," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "They're competing. We knew where we stood [in the standings], and we just wanted to keep competing, whether they're up 10 or down 10, and enjoy the game."
Video: ARI@LAD: D-backs put up a five-spot in the 9th
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Ray of hope: Ray's season hasn't always been smooth sailing, but he earned his second win over the Dodgers in the past two weeks. He was never was challenged after the first inning, and his seven strikeouts were one off his season high. The Dodgers didn't have a hit after the third inning against Ray.
"He did a great job. He came out, he was firing. His velocity was up, and he was attacking hitters," Hale said. "Salty did a great job of getting him to throw the breaking ball and the changeup. He gave us what we needed and what he needed." More >
Video: ARI@LAD: Ray fans seven over six scoreless innings
Defensive gem with a cost: D-backs Shortstop Nick Ahmed made the defensive play of the game in the seventh inning but was forced to leave the game one hitter later with a jammed lower back. With a runner on first, Ahmed dove to his right and snagged a grounder deep in the hole and made the throw to second base from the seat of his pants to cut off the lead runner.
"The play Nick made was phenomenal," Hale said. "I just went in to check on him and he's in a lot of pain. I don't think he'll be available tomorrow. When he dove and turned to throw to second, that's when he felt it."
Video: ARI@LAD: Ahmed lays out, throws for the forceout
Early chance: The first two batters of the game for the Dodgers reached base -- Justin Ruggiano on an infield single and Howie Kendrick on a grounder ruled an error. But after retiring Adrian Gonzalez and Scott Van Slyke, Ray pitched around Corey Seager with a walk, and A.J. Ellis popped out.
Video: ARI@LAD: Ray induces popup to end the threat in 1st
Late chance: The Dodgers wasted a pair of walks in the bottom of the seventh inning when Ruggiano grounded into an inning-ending double-play.
QUOTABLE
"I told myself I was going to sell out and throw a lot of strikes and pound the zone," -- Ray, who threw 67 of his 101 pitches for strikes
UNDER REVIEW
The Dodgers challenged first-base umpire Marvin Hudson's safe call on Chris Owings' seventh-inning bouncer to third baseman Alex Guerrero. A review overturned the call, and Owings was ruled out at first base.
Video: ARI@LAD: Owings ruled out after challenge in the 7th
WHAT'S NEXT
D-backs: Chase Anderson returns to the rotation to face the Dodgers at 7:10 p.m. MST after being skipped in the last time through. In his last start, on Sept. 5 against the Giants, Anderson allowed five runs and lasted just two innings before being pulled. He's also taking Rubby De La Rosa's spot in the rotation as De La Rosa has been torched by the Dodgers this season.
Dodgers: Zack Greinke's Cy Young-caliber campaign continues Wednesday in a 7:10 p.m. PT start against the D-backs. He earned his fifth straight win in his last start and has allowed one run or less in 20 of his 30 starts this year.
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