Dodgers’ late power surge bails out bullpen in 9-7 win over Diamondbacks
The seventh inning of Friday’s Dodgers 9-7 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks contained enough twists to underscore the growing concern about the team’s bullpen, and enough turns to remind why this club continues to surge toward a playoff spot.
In the top of the inning, the Dodgers squandered a three-run lead and allowed the Diamondbacks to hang seven runs on the board. In the bottom of the inning, Joc Pederson and Chase Utley each hit a two-run homer, pulling the game even. Yasmani Grandal pushed his club back ahead with an RBI single.
“Every win is a big one,†Manager Dave Roberts said. “But that one is arguably the best win of the year.â€
In the process, the Dodgers (58-45) cut San Francisco’s lead in the National League West to one game. The Giants led by 61/2 games when the second half started.
“I think we all realize we have a good team,†Utley said. “Good teams want to win and want to improve.â€
The two flurries enlivened an otherwise tidy affair. Kenta Maeda departed with one out in the seventh, having held the Diamondbacks to one run and four hits. He was charged another run after his exit. His bullpen only made things worse.
After the collapse at the top of the frame, the Dodgers bounced right back. Pederson crushed a changeup from Arizona reliever Daniel Hudson. Utley jumped on a slider from the next reliever, Zac Curtis. Seager hit a double. He scored four batters later when Grandal punched a single up the middle.
Yet the team still could worry about its relievers. After Adam Liberatore walked the only batter he faced, Joe Blanton allowed a pair of bloop singles and then walked in the tying run. Luis Avilan sprawled in the grass to corral a ground ball, only to find first base uncovered, and Michael Bourn credited with a go-ahead single. To complete the misery, Paul Goldschmidt walloped a three-run double off Pedro Baez.
Liberatore played a small role in Friday’s fiasco. But he lacked the precision he showed earlier in the summer.
Fortunately, Pederson and Utley went deep.
“Early in the year, that probably wouldn’t happen,†Roberts said. “But we’ve got a lot of fight in us.â€
Twitter: @McCulloughTimes
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