Dodgers top Diamondbacks again to improve NL West title hopes
Freddie Freeman homers twice, Teoscar Hernandez has a five-hit game, Shohei Ohtani steals three bases and Jack Flaherty is solid in an 11-6 win as the Dodgers take three of four games in Arizona and secure an end-of-season tiebreaker
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts, left, celebrates with Freddie Freeman after Freeman hit a two-run home run during the third inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday in Phoenix. Freeman added a second two-run homer in the eighth inning and had five RBIs in an 11-6 win. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty throws to the plate during the third inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas turns a double play over the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jake McCarthy during the first inning on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez throws to the plate during the third inning of their game against the Dodgers on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo turns a double play over Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani during the first inning on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Luis Guillorme, center, holds up the ball after trying to tag out the Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas, right, during the third inning on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts, left, celebrates with Freddie Freeman after Freeman hit a two-run home run during the third inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday in Phoenix. Freeman added a second two-run homer in the eighth inning and had five RBIs in an 11-6 win. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Jake McCarthy attempts to catch a ball hit for a triple by the Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández during the third inning on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Eugenio Suárez reacts after hitting a double during the third inning of their game against the Dodgers on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Geraldo Perdomo hits a sacrifice bunt during the third inning of their game against the Dodgers on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers second baseman Chris Taylor catches a ball for an out at first base during the third inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers second baseman Chris Taylor catches a ball for an out at first base on the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Geraldo Perdomo, right, during the third inning on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty throws to the plate during the third inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll hits an RBI groundout during the third inning of their game against the Dodgers on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman catches a ball for an out during the third inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez throws to the plate during the third inning of their game against the Dodgers on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández, right, is tagged out by Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Luis Guillorme while trying to steal second base during the fifth inning on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia throws to the plate during the sixth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas, left left, tags out the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jake McCarthy for an out on a stolen base attempt during the sixth inning on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas reacts after tagging out the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jake McCarthy on a stolen base attempt during the sixth inning on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers catcher Will Smith looks on during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia throws to the plate during the sixth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia walks off the field after the sixth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a single during the seventh inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, steals second base in front of Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, front left, in the seventh inning during a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani runs to score on a sacrifice fly by Freddie Freeman during the seventh inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Randal Grichuk, left, reaches first base safely after Dodgers relief pitcher Anthony Banda, right, missed the base during the seventh inning on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers relief pitcher Anthony Banda throws to the plate during the seventh inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jake McCarthy watches his RBI groundout in the seventh inning during a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers relief pitcher Anthony Banda, right, makes a play for an out on the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jake McCarthy during the seventh inning on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani safely steals third base during the seventh inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and third base coach Dino Ebel chat during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts hits a two-run double during the eighth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani slides home to score a run on a ball hit by Mookie Betts during the eighth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts, left, and Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo talk during their game on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts watches from the dugout railing during the eighth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run — his second of the game — during the eighth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, right, celebrates with teammate Mookie Betts after hitting a two-run home run — his second of the game — during the eighth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts looks on during their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after striking out during the ninth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Brent Honeywell throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Brent Honeywell throws to the plate during their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers catcher Will Smith, left, and relief pitcher Brent Honeywell celebrate after the final out of their 11-6 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers catcher Will Smith, left, and relief pitcher Brent Honeywell celebrate after the final out of their 11-6 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani stands on the dugout steps before their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
1 of 47
Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty throws to the plate during the third inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday afternoon in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
PHOENIX — The Dodgers are making their closing argument.
Freddie Freeman hit two home runs, Teoscar Hernandez had a five-hit game and Shohei Ohtani stole three bases as they beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 11-6, on Monday afternoon, putting their foot down in the National League West by taking three of the four games at Chase Field in this series.
The two teams combined to score 67 runs in a four-game series that left both pitching staffs slightly traumatized. The Dodgers did their share of the bludgeoning, batting .338 (52 for 154) in the series while scoring 32 runs.
“I mean, we still have 20-plus games left,” said Freeman, who returned from getting a series off to hit four home runs and drive in 10 runs against the Diamondbacks. “So if you’re looking at division leads this early in September, you’re doing the wrong thing.”
It doesn’t feel wrong.
With the series win, the Dodgers (83-55) pushed the Diamondbacks (77-61) six games back in the National League West with 24 games to go. The San Diego Padres are five games back after their 3-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Monday.
The Dodgers also took the season series from the Diamondbacks, 7-6, giving them the tiebreaker in the increasingly unlikely event they need it.
Despite their ongoing issues in the starting rotation, the Dodgers have rolled into September, holding the Diamondbacks and Padres at bay by winning 17 of their past 23 games and five consecutive series as they pursue their 11th division crown in the last 12 years.
“It was an important series, a big series,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Obviously you could see the urgency with both clubs, how they played. For us to win three here is a tough feat. It took some big hits, some big pitching. Overall, to come out of here up six games on these guys – we took care of business.”
They took care of business in Arizona despite their starting pitchers in the first three games (Clayton Kershaw, Gavin Stone and Justin Wrobleski) giving up 18 runs in 11⅓ innings.
Jack Flaherty was acquired at the trade deadline to shore up the front of that starting rotation and he has given them a series of starts that have mostly resembled Monday’s outing – quality but not quantity.
He allowed just one run, scattering five hits and three walks. But his pitch count reached 96 after back-to-back walks with two outs in the sixth and Roberts pulled him. Flaherty has completed six innings (and no more) just twice in his six starts as a Dodger.
“Will (Smith) did a really good job keeping me in the zone,” Flaherty said. “I didn’t really have a lot of feel for the slider today, but was able to use my fastball and had pretty good command of that. So you’ve got to adjust to what you’ve got that day, and had some really good stuff for points in time in that game and sometimes where it just wasn’t really great.”
The Dodgers handed him a lead in the third inning when Chris Taylor led off with a double, went to third on a ground out and scored on Mookie Betts’ RBI single. Freeman made it a 3-0 boost with a two-run home run down the left field line.
The Dodgers added to the lead with a three-run seventh inning.
Ohtani sparked the inning with a one-out single then stole second and third base. After an intentional walk of Betts, Ohtani scored on a sacrifice fly by Freeman.
Ohtani (who was on base four times with two walks and two singles) had a third steal in the game and now has 44 home runs and 46 stolen bases in his quest to become the first player with a 50-50 season.
“I’m not sure how many games are left,” Ohtani said of pursuing history. “But just really looking forward to being able to contribute every time I get to play the game.”
Hernandez had his fourth hit of the game – one of his three singles to go with a double and a triple – and scored with Betts on a two-out single by Smith.
The Diamondbacks lead the majors in runs scored from the seventh inning on, including nine in the first three games of this series. They chopped away at the Dodgers’ lead with two runs in the seventh off Ryan Brasier and Anthony Banda, a solo home run from Eugenio Suarez in the eighth and two more runs in the ninth.
But the Dodgers responded by putting the game away with five runs in the eighth inning – all after the first two batters were retired. Betts drove in two with a double and Freeman hit his second two-run home run of the game and fourth home run of the series.
“It’s a lot of the same guys (Diamondbacks pitchers) that we saw last October that we didn’t have success with and even some parts of this year,” Roberts said. “So to come here into their backyard and swing the bats like we did and beat the starter, tax the ’pen – I thought we had a great offensive gameplan throughout.
