Recap: Pederson Hits Key Home Run, Dodgers Win Behind Late Offense
Despite Baker batting for himself in the fourth, Juan Nicasio relieved him to start the fifth and threw a scoreless first inning of relief. The Dodgers weren’t able to get a runner on base in the bottom of the fifth as Hellickson retired Turner, Kendrick and Gonzalez in order.
Nicasio remained in the game in the sixth inning and threw another 1-2-3 inning. After getting Van Slyke to fly out, Hellickson was replaced by Andrew Chafin. The left-hander struck out Ethier and Grandal to end the inning and preserve the Diamondbacks’ 4-3 lead through six innings.
After a third inning of scoreless relief, Jimmy Rollins pinch-hit for Nicasio in the bottom of the seventh with one out and grounded to first. Pederson’s success as the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter resulted in another big hit as he tied the game with a solo home run to center.
Turner knocked a two-out double down the right field line and Kendrick cashed in on the RBI opportunity with a base hit to right that gave the Dodgers a 5-4 lead. Yimi Garcia took over for the Dodgers in the eighth and got A.J. Pollock swinging for the first out.
Garcia issued a two-out walk but got out of the inning without allowing a run. Grandal hit a one-out single in the bottom of the eighth and it was followed by base hits from pinch-hitter Alex Guerrero and Rollins, with the shortstop’s driving in an insurance run for the Dodgers.
Chris Hatcher entered the game in the ninth with a 6-4 lead and shut the door on the Diamondbacks to give the Dodgers their second straight win over their division opponent.
Joc Pederson Pranked By Dodgers Teammates
