Ender Inciarte was 4 for 8 int eh two games against the Dodgers. Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
On their way to another National League West title, the Los Angeles Dodgers stopped at Chase Field for a two game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It would mark the final time in 2014 these two teams met in Phoenix and for the D’backs it was a chance to take the fight to their most heated rival in front of the home crowd. Unfortunately, it was the Dodger bats and replay that got the better of them in game one and Clayton Kershaw took it from there in the second game.
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On Tuesday, the D’backs dropped a 9-5 decision, fueled by a six run outburst by the Dodgers in the fourth inning. Replay was instrumental on back-to-back plays in keeping the Los Angeles rally going. First, Carl Crawford was originally called out at home while trying to score on an A.J. Ellis single. Replay was able to determine that although Snakes’ catcher Miguel Montero did not block Crawford’s path to the plate, he tagged the runner without the ball in his glove. Thus, the umpire’s original out call was overturned and the Dodgers extended their lead to 5-2. On the very next play, Roberto Hernandez was called out on a bunt attempt. However, replay showed that the pitcher was safe at first base and the lead was now 6-2 as Jason Turner scored. These calls overshadowed performances by two D’backs, one good, one bad. Trevor Cahill had his worst outing in over a month. He allowed eight runs (six earned) on six hits while walking three batters. On the flip side, Ender Inciarte had a tremendous game , going two for five with 3 RBI’s and a stolen base.
Wednesday’s game had a lot less offense and all Kershaw as the Dodgers prevailed 3-1. He threw eight innings allowing one run (unearned) on six hits and two walks hile striking out ten. The D’backs did have a couple of chances, such as putting two runners on with one out in the third, but could only manage Jordan Pacheco‘s RBI single in the 4th. Inciarte again starred, being a rare lefty batter to get two hits, including a triple, in the same game against the great Kershaw. The big blow was Matt Kemp‘s two-run double in the 4th inning off Wade Miley. Scott Van Slyke added a solo home run two batters later to complete the Dodgers’ scoring. Van Slyke, who later left the game with an ankle injury has ten home runs on the season. Four of them have come off Miley; he is 7 for 11 in 2014 off the D’backs’ lefty.
Arizona is off on Thursday before hosting the Colorado Rockies for three games this weekend. The Snakes have a record of 55-78 while the Rockies are 53-79.