Pitching has long been the focus for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but they gave their arms some help Saturday to even their series with the Arizona Diamondbacks. After ending a six-game slide losing streak in Phoenix, the Dodgers will try to win their first series against the Diamondbacks in nearly a year Sunday when the teams conclude their three-game set. Hyun-Jin Ryu struck out a career-high nine and went 3-for-3 at the plate while Adrian Gonzalez homered and added three hits in a 7-5 victory.
Arizona lost for only the third time in its last 14 meetings against the Dodgers, but is in danger of dropping a series to Los Angeles for the first time since May 21-23. Aaron Hill, who had not played since Tuesday after he was hit on the left hand by a pitch, made a pinch-hitting appearance Saturday after fill-in Cliff Pennington was ejected for protesting after a strikeout. His likely return is welcome news as the team placed power-hitting outfielder Jason Kubel on the disabled list with a quadriceps injury.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), Fox Sports Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Josh Beckett (0-1, 4.91 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Trevor Cahill (0-2, 5.91)
Beckett, who is 2-4 since his trade to Los Angeles on Aug. 25, escaped with a no-decision in Tuesday’s 9-3 loss to San Diego after permitting three runs and six hits over five innings. The 32-year-old has been stingy against right-handed hitters through two starts (4-for-18), but more forgiving against left-handed batters (8-for-27). Beckett is 2-4 with a 4.36 ERA in seven all-time starts against the Diamondbacks, but collected his first win as a Dodger against them Sept. 1.
Cahill has struck out seven in both his outings, but has yet to make it out of the sixth inning. The 25-year-old California native yielded four runs and four hits over five frames in Monday’s 5-3 home loss to Pittsburgh, falling to 7-9 with a 4.80 ERA in 18 career starts at Chase Field. However, the former Oakland Athletic is 4-0 with a 2.43 ERA in six career starts against the Dodgers – the only team he has faced more than once that has yet to defeat him.
WALK-OFFS
1. Gonzalez is 14-for-31 with two homers and 10 RBIs in eight games since opening the season 1-for-9.
2. Hill is 15-for-37 in his career against Beckett.
3. Dodgers RHP Brandon League is 10-for-10 in save opportunities since joining the team at the trade deadline last season.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 5