Diamondbacks Turn Tables on Dodgers, Score Early and Often in Romp

Randal Grichuk of the Arizona Diamondbacks watches the flight of his three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Phoenix on Sept. 1, 2024. Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo

PHOENIX—Randal Grichuk hit a three-run home run to highlight an eight-run second inning, Brandon Pfaadt struck out 10, and the Arizona Diamondbacks routed the Los Angeles Dodgers 14–3 on Sunday.

The Dodgers won the series’ first two games by jumping on Arizona early.

The Diamondbacks returned the favor in bashing fashion on Sunday, sending 11 batters to the plate against Justin Wrobleski (1–2) in the second inning.

“The first two games didn’t go our way, but we didn’t give up in either of those games and we’re not going to give up—that showed up today,” Grichuk said. “Guys are firing on all cylinders, and it’s fun to come out and get it done.”

Eugenio Suárez homered and had two RBIs, and Geraldo Perdomo hit a two-run double in Arizona’s big inning. Pfaadt (9–7) was solid after being staked to the big early lead, helping Arizona move back within five games of the first-place Dodgers in the National League West.

The Diamondbacks had 17 hits to end the Dodgers’ four-game winning streak. Los Angeles closed out the game with infielder Kiké Hernández pitching the eighth inning.

“We got put into a tough spot today, then you’re just trying to find a way to salvage pitching,” Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts said. “I think the positive is we’re back to full strength for tomorrow with a chance to win the series.”

Wrobleski was added to the roster as a September call-up to give the rotation an extra day of rest following Clayton Kershaw’s trip to the injured list with a bone spur in his big left toe.

The rookie left-hander’s return to the big leagues did not go well.

The Diamondbacks jumped on Wrobleski in the second inning, starting with Grichuk’s leadoff double. Suárez, Jose Herrera, and Jose Bell each had run-scoring singles in the inning.

With his bullpen already taxed, Roberts left Wrobleski in the game and Suárez put Arizona up 9–0 with a solo homer in the third. Wrobleski managed to work his way through 5 1/3 innings and was pulled after Corbin Carroll’s run-scoring single put Arizona up 10–3.

Wrobleski allowed 10 runs on 10 hits, with two strikeouts and two walks.

“It’s part of being a starting pitcher,“ he said. ”It’s part of pitching in this league. It’s a hard league to pitch in, obviously. Just kind of keep grinding.”

Pfaadt allowed a run on a groundout in the fourth inning and was chased with two outs in the sixth after giving up two more runs, including one on Austin Barnes’ RBI single. Joe Mantiply struck out Shohei Ohtani looking to end the inning. Ohtani went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts.

Pfaadt allowed three runs on eight hits and walked two.

Diamondbacks starter Brandon Pfaadt throws against the Dodgers in Phoenix on Sept. 1, 2024. Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo

“What happened the last two days, shutting them down in that first inning was important,” Pfaadt said.

Carroll went 2 for 4 with a walk to reach base in 40 straight starts, breaking Arizona’s single-season streak, set by Jay Bell in 1998.

Roster Adds

The Dodgers also added right-hander Michael Grove and outfielder Andy Pages to the roster as September call-ups. Right-hander Ben Caparius was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City after earning his first big-league win with a scoreless inning Saturday night.

The Diamondbacks recalled right-hander Slade Cecconi and outfielder Jorge Barrosa from Triple-A Reno, Nev.

Trainer’s Room

Diamondbacks: Right fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. left the game hobbling on his left leg after trying to beat out a double play to end the sixth inning. Lovullo said it was from calf tightness, and he will have an MRI as soon as possible.

Up Next

Dodgers right-hander Jack Flaherty (10–6, 3.07 earned-run average) is set to face Diamondbacks left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (2–0, 5.06) in Monday’s series finale.

By John Marshall