Dodgers Escape D'Backs Behind Greinke's 8 IP
ARIZONA (AP) — Zack Greinke pitched eight scoreless innings to lower his major league-leading ERA to 1.61 and help the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3 on Sunday.
Greinke (17-3) won his fourth straight game and eighth in the past nine starts, striking out eight and walking two. Of his 24 outs recorded, only one was a fly ball.
A.J. Ellis homered and Adrian Gonzalez had three hits to lead the NL West-leading Dodgers' offense. Kenley Jansen got the first two outs in the ninth inning before giving up a three-run home run to Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The reliever struck out Jake Lamb to end the game.
The Dodgers scored single runs in the first and third innings. Justin Ruggiano led off the game with a double, took third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Justin Turner's single.
Turner singled and stole second base with one out, took third on another hit and scored on a fielder's choice by Scott Van Slyke to make the score 2-0 in the third inning.
Patrick Corbin (5-4) was charged with both runs and gave up eight hits in six innings, striking out four.
Greinke no-hit the Diamondbacks for four innings, the first Arizona hit coming in the bottom of the fifth with one out, a double by Saltalamacchia. The Diamondbacks had runners on second and third bases with two outs in the sixth, setting up a showdown between All-Stars in Greinke and Paul Goldschmidt.
Greinke struck out Goldschmidt swinging and fanned him three times in the game.
Ronald Torreyes, called up from Triple-A before Sunday's game and inserted into the game in the bottom of the fifth inning at second base, doubled with one out in the seventh for his first major-league hit. He scored on Gonzalez's two-out single to give the Dodgers a 3-0 lead.
Ellis' fifth home run of the season led off the top of the eighth.
LATOS TO THE PEN
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said pitcher Mat Latos (0-2, 6.56 earned run average) will move to the bullpen. Latos has struggled in four of five outings since being acquired by the Dodgers from Miami, failing to last five innings in each of those four starts. He missed his scheduled start last Wednesday with a stiff neck.
DIAMONDBACKS MULL MOVE WITH DE LA ROSA
Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said the team is discussing moving pitcher Rubby De La Rosa out of starting against the Dodgers, with De La Rosa lined up to face his nemesis again later this month. De La Rosa has been pounded by the Dodgers' offense in three of four starts, including Saturday night, with three losses this season. "We have to do what's best for him, but also what's best for the team and give us a chance to win the game," Hale said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: 2B Howie Kendrick will play simulated games Monday and Tuesday as he works his way back from a hamstring injury. Mattingly said Kendrick will return to his starting spot at second base, where Chase Utley is playing regularly for now, when he is deemed ready. Utley could spell Kendrick and third baseman Turner.. SS Jimmy Rollins is scheduled to test his injured hand by throwing and hitting starting on Monday.. OF Carl Crawford was available to play Sunday after leaving Saturday's game with hamstring tightness.
Diamondbacks: P Zack Godley will be available out of the bullpen on Monday as the Diamondbacks will look to use the 25-year-old who debuted this season sparingly.. Hale said Corbin, who came back from elbow surgery earlier this season, is feeling strong and the plan is for him to finish the season in the rotation.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw and his 259 strikeouts and 13-6 record go against the Colorado Rockies in Los Angeles on Monday. Kershaw is 8-0 with a 0.93 ERA and three complete games in his last 11 starts.
Diamondbacks: RHP Jeremy Hellickson makes his first start since returning from the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain. He takes on the San Diego Padres. Hellickson is 2-0 with a 0.68 ERA in his last two starts, though he hasn't pitched since last month.
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