Rollins, Ethier power Dodgers past D-backs
LOS ANGELES -- Mike Bolsinger shut down his former team, and the Dodgers used a balanced offensive attack to defeat the D-backs on Monday night, 9-3.
By the time Bolsinger, who was bought out from the D-backs in the offseason, finally allowed a run, his offense had put the game out of reach. The Dodgers put up a five-run fourth inning and a three-run fifth, thanks to a pair of three-run homers from Jimmy Rollins and Andre Ethier in the back-to-back frames.
Bolsinger left after seven solid innings, having allowed three hits and two runs. He tied a career high with eight strikeouts.
"Everything was going down in the strike zone, and hitting the back of the plate," Bolsinger said. "I'm locked in right now."
Rubby De La Rosa, meanwhile, was roughed up for nine runs, all earned, in five innings for Arizona. He's allowed at least four runs in five of his last six starts.
"Tonight was probably the one night where Rubby didn't give us a shot," Arizona manager Chip Hale said. "They did a nice job of fouling off some pitches, and just flipping balls out into the outfield. Good hitters do that. Then [De La Rosa] gave up some big ones, and they hurt."
Video: ARI@LAD: Bolsinger fans eight over seven for the win
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Feeling good: In his first start since last Wednesday against Colorado due to a knee sprain, Howie Kendrick looked better than ever. The veteran second baseman was 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. His singles started multi-run rallies in both the fourth and fifth innings. It was his third game this year with three hits or more, and Kendrick is now 8-for-15 lifetime against De La Rosa.
Video: ARI@LAD: Kendrick's knock gives Dodgers a quick lead
Harkey's quick-fix works once, not twice: After the Dodgers put together three straight singles in the first inning for a run, D-backs pitching coach Mike Harkey made an early mound visit. De La Rosa retired the next eight hitters. But in the fourth, after the first three Dodgers reached base, Harkey went out again. This time, an Andre Ethier RBI single, and Rollins' three-run homer followed to complete a five-run inning.
"I just told him to bear down a little more, and make better pitches," Harkey said. "This has kind of been his M/O in his bad starts."
Video: ARI@LAD: De La Rosa fans Guerrero to limit the damage
Production at the bottom: The Dodgers got contributions from nearly everyone in their lineup. Seven of the eight position players recorded a hit, and six different players scored runs. But it was the bottom of the order played a key role in driving those runners home. The Nos. 6-8 hitters for Los Angeles combined for eight of the team's nine RBIs. "That was something we needed, rather than a tooth and nail," Mattingly said.
Video: ARI@LAD: Ethier clubs a three-run shot to widen lead
Ramirez retires nine: D-backs right-hander J.C. Ramirez was perfect in a career-high three innings, retiring all nine batters he faced, including six left-handers.
"His split-finger has been great, and his fastball has had a lot of movement," Harkey said. "He has to get left-handers out, because we need length from him."
Video: ARI@LAD: Lamb singles to right to score Pennington
QUOTABLE
"We just want to get to .500, and maybe we can build off that. We have to buckle down, and play better on the road." -- manager Chip Hale, whose 27-30 D-backs have dropped 11 of their past 12 games at Dodger Stadium
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Before A.J. Pollock's double in the top of the sixth, Bolsinger had recorded 24 consecutive scoreless innings at Dodger Stadium, a streak stretching back to May 12.
Video: ARI@LAD: Pollock doubles off the wall to score a pair
WHAT'S NEXT
D-backs: Left-hander Robbie Ray will take the mound on Tuesday night as the D-backs and Dodgers play the second game of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. Ray, who is 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in two starts for the D-backs this season, has never faced Los Angeles.
Dodgers: The Dodgers will counter with Carlos Frias, who made his first start of the year on May 1 against the D-backs, throwing 5 1/3 innings in an 8-0 Dodgers victory.
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