Diamondbacks at Dodgers
While Arizona Diamondbacks slugger Paul Goldschmidt continues to search for his swing, the team is receiving a welcome power boost from some unexpected sources. Daniel Descalso and Nick Ahmed each homered Friday for the red-hot Diamondbacks, who aim for an 11th straight regular-season victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday when they continue their three-game series at Chavez Ravine.
Descalso hit cleanup for the first time in his career Friday and went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and four RBI as the Diamondbacks held on for an 8-7 victory, giving them their best start after 13 games in franchise history at 10-3. Left fielder David Peralta returned to the leadoff spot after missing two games due to a sore left hand and went 2-for-4 with two runs scored while closer Brad Boxberger recorded his fifth save and extended his scoreless streak to 14 games dating back to last season. The Dodgers fell to 4-8 and received a scare when left fielder Matt Kemp crashed into the wall on Ahmed’s home run, but the veteran was diagnosed with a knee contusion and said he expects to play Saturday. Leadoff hitter Chris Taylor and first baseman Cody Bellinger each homered in Friday’s loss, but utilityman Enrique Hernandez went 0-for-3 and has just five hits in 31 at-bats.
TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Taijuan Walker (0-0, 3.27 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Rich Hill (1-0, 2.70)
Walker received a no-decision last Sunday despite holding St. Louis to one run on three hits over six innings. “I just went out there and attacked,” Walker told reporters. “That’s kind of been my mindset coming into the season: Just go out there and attack with the fastball and get ahead, sprinkle my off-speed pitches in there, and just try to make them put the ball in play.” Yasmani Grandal is 5-for-10 with a home run against Walker, who is 2-1 with a 4.91 ERA in five career starts against the Dodgers.
After tossing six shutout innings against San Francisco in his season debut, Hill allowed three earned runs over four innings in last Saturday’s rematch against the Giants. The 38-year-old native of Massachusetts has posted a 1-5 record with a 4.78 ERA in nine career starts against the Diamondbacks. Goldschmidt is 3-for-10 against Hill while A.J. Pollock homered for his only hit in 10 at-bats.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Diamondbacks are 28-10 against National League West opponents since Aug. 25 of last season.
2. Bellinger is 14-for-37 since opening the season 0-for-9.
3. Arizona has won 10 of its last 11 games when scoring four or more runs.