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Snap Judgments: MLB Game of the Week (Dodgers at D-backs, 08.10.17)

MLBPhotos by Adesina O. Koiki on add comment 2.47K views
Stefanie Rodríguez/ALOST/TPG Images
The Dodgers once again got off to a hot start in a game, with Kike Hernandez coming through with a bases-clearing double in the first inning to send Los Angeles on its way to another victory. (Stefanie Rodríguez/ALOST)
The Dodgers once again got off to a hot start in the game’s first at-bat, with Kike Hernandez coming through with a bases-clearing double in the first to send Los Angeles on its way to another win. (Stefanie Rodríguez/ALOST)

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MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks (08.11.17)

 

PHOENIX — There were not too many things the Los Angeles Dodgers needed at last month’s trade deadline to reinforce their roster for a possible run to a first world championship in almost 30 years. As it turns out, all the Dodgers might ended up needing was Yu.

Coming over after a last-second deadline deal with the Texas Rangers, new Los Angeles starting pitcher Yu Darvish has not put any fears in the organization that his so-so season with the Rangers will prevent him from being the right-handed stud to complement the bevy of left-handed arms on the roster, and his latest performance helped to lift the Dodgers to another victory, an 8-6 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Thursday night.

To be fair, it was not the best of performances on the mound from Darvish, who only went five innings before being lifted. He allowed seven base runners (five hits, two walks), a home run and also uncorked a wild pitch. But when he needed to make the key pitches to get himself and the team out of trouble, that’s exactly what he did.

“When he’s obviously not at his best and still goes five innings, strikes out 10, that’s obviously encouraging,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts after the game.

His best inning arguably was his last. After a walk to leadoff hitter David Peralta, Darvish had to go through the heart of the Diamondbacks order – one of the most productive in the majors – for a third time. The daunting task proved to be child’s play, as Darvish struck out the side, punching out A.J. Pollock, Jake Lamb and Paul Goldschmidt to end his night.

Of all of the great pitchers in the pitching-rich franchise, Darvish became the first Dodger to strike out at least 10 batters in his first two starts in Dodger Blue; He also struck out 10 in a dominant performance in his Los Angeles debut against the New York Mets last Friday night at Citi Field.

Los Angeles started its evening quickly against Diamondbacks rookie starter Anthony Banda, as two singles and a walk loaded the bases in the first inning. With two outs, Kike Hernandez lined a ball down the left field line for a double to clear the bases, giving the Dodgers a 3-0 lead.

The top three in the order for Los Angeles – Chris Taylor, Corey Seager and Justin Turner – continued to get on base to give the middle and bottom of the order chances to put up crooked numbers, as the trio combined to go 5-for-13 with two walks and five runs scored.

Arizona’s offense was productive in the sense that they churned out 10 hits. However, none of the knocks came from either No. 3 hitter Lamb nor clean-up hitter Goldschmidt, as they combined to go 0-for-10 with four strikeouts and seven men left on base.

*Editor’s note: Above the byline is the photo gallery from today’s game, with all photos taken by Arizona-based photographer Stefanie Rodríguez. After clicking on the first photo to enlarge the picture, make sure to press the left and right arrow buttons to scroll through the rest of the pictures. There are 31 pictures in total.

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