PHOENIX — In a thrilling display of resilience, the Los Angeles Dodgers mounted a stunning comeback against the Arizona Diamondbacks, scoring six runs in the ninth inning to secure a 14-11 victory on Friday night at Chase Field. The Dodgers, who had initially jumped to an 8-3 lead, found themselves trailing 11-8 entering the final frame after a series of pitching missteps.
Star slugger Shohei Ohtani capped the dramatic ninth with a three-run homer, his 12th of the season, which soared 426 feet into the right field seats. "Really great game," Ohtani said through his interpreter. "It’s not the kind of game we play a lot. But for us to score a lot (early), for them to come back, for us to come back again – it was a game with a lot of passion."
The night began favorably for the Dodgers, who scored eight runs in the first three innings, highlighted by a two-run double from Ohtani and a home run from Kiké Hernández. However, the tide turned as the Diamondbacks rallied, with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hitting a grand slam in the fifth inning to tie the game at 8-8. This marked the second consecutive game the Diamondbacks hit a grand slam, a feat they last accomplished against the Dodgers in 2011.
Despite the early lead, Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki struggled significantly, failing to record a single strikeout across 20 batters faced. Manager Dave Roberts pulled him after just 4.1 innings, stating, "I just felt tonight he was laboring from the outset. You could tell by facing 20 hitters and not one strikeout. Guys were taking really good swings." Sasaki's fastball averaged only 94.9 mph, down from his season average of 96.1 mph, leading to a disappointing outing.
As the game progressed, the Diamondbacks capitalized on the Dodgers' pitching woes. After Sasaki's departure, Anthony Banda allowed a grand slam to Gurriel, while Alex Vesia surrendered back-to-back home runs to Ketel Marte and Randal Grichuk in the eighth inning, giving Arizona an 11-8 lead.
In the ninth, the Dodgers' offense erupted. Andy Pages and Kiké Hernández opened the inning with consecutive run-scoring doubles, while Max Muncy tied the game with a single. With the score level at 11-all, Ohtani stepped up to the plate against reliever Ryan Thompson. After falling behind 1-2, he unleashed a powerful swing, launching a splitter for the decisive three-run homer.
"You guys have heard me say it how many times? Sho keeps getting put in these spots that you expect the incredible, and he rarely disappoints," said Muncy, reflecting on Ohtani's clutch performance.
Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior was ejected earlier in the game following a controversial call that allowed a run to score, adding to the drama of the night. Despite the chaos, Tanner Scott closed out the game with a perfect ninth inning, securing his 11th save of the season.
The Diamondbacks, despite their offensive fireworks, were left to lament their pitching struggles. Eduardo Rodriguez, who started the game, was chased after 2.2 innings, having allowed eight runs on nine hits. His ERA now sits at 7.30, raising questions about his role moving forward.
"No, we haven't had that conversation about a role switch," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said regarding Rodriguez. "He’s had some good games for us, so we haven’t had that conversation."
Marte's two home runs were a bright spot for Arizona, but the team's bullpen issues were glaring. The Diamondbacks' relievers have struggled mightily, posting a 7.54 ERA since losing A.J. Puk to injury and with Justin Martinez experiencing a dead arm phase.
As the Dodgers celebrated their comeback victory, they extended their home run streak to 13 games, with Hernández's earlier blast contributing to the tally. The Dodgers now prepare for the third game of the series, where they will send Dusty May to the mound against Corbin Burnes of the Diamondbacks.
The situation remains tense for both teams as the Dodgers improve to a strong position in the standings, while the Diamondbacks, now 20-19, are only 2.5 games out of the Wild Card race. With injuries plaguing their pitching staff, the Diamondbacks will need to find a way to stabilize their bullpen if they hope to remain competitive this season.
As the series continues, fans can expect more fireworks as both teams vie for crucial victories in their quest for postseason glory. The thrilling nature of Friday's game exemplifies why baseball remains one of the most unpredictable and exciting sports.
