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Arizona’s rookie sensation Ryan Waldschmidt connected for a two-run home run in the ninth inning off Los Angeles closer Edwin Diaz, lifting the Diamondbacks to a 4-3 victory on Friday night in Phoenix. The result marked the Dodgers’ seventh consecutive defeat, their worst stretch of the season.
Waldschmidt’s heroic blast came after Diaz had walked Max Kepler to open the inning and struck out Tim Tawa. The young slugger drove a slider into left-center field that barely cleared the wall, representing the most significant hit of his early career. Diaz, a three-time All-Star, has surrendered 11 earned runs across nine innings so far this season.
Los Angeles initially trailed 2-0 but staged a comeback bid. Andy Pages delivered a solo home run leading off the eighth inning to give the Dodgers a 3-2 lead, only to see Waldschmidt’s ninth-inning heroics spoil their comeback hopes.
Arizona right-hander Merrill Kelly dominated through five innings without allowing a hit before Tommy Edman broke up the no-hitter with an infield single in the sixth. Freddie Freeman later drove in a run on a fielder’s choice that cut Arizona’s lead to 2-1, but Kelly departed the game due to cramping in his right leg.
The Dodgers knotted the game at 2-2 in the seventh on an RBI single by Edman. Los Angeles loaded the bases but squandered the opportunity when Shohei Ohtani grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Diamondbacks designated hitter Nolan Arenado opened the scoring in the second inning with a solo homer that just cleared the left field wall despite the efforts of Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez. The blast marked Arenado’s 17th home run of the season. In the third inning, Dodgers center fielder Corbin Carroll made a spectacular play, leaping above the right field fence to rob Edman of an extra-base hit.
Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki allowed two runs on five hits and one walk across six innings of work while striking out five batters. Saturday’s matchup will feature Arizona right-hander Brandon Pfaadt (6-1, 3.66 ERA) facing Los Angeles right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto (11-7, 2.76 ERA).
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