Escobar's Homer Lifts D-Backs Over Dodgers, Tightens NL West
PHOENIX (AP) — Eduardo Escobar homered off Kenta Maeda leading off the ninth inning, and the Arizona Diamondbacks tightened the NL West race with a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night.
Los Angeles (88-70) had won 10 of its previous 12 games to surge into the NL West lead, but Colorado (87-70) pulled within a half-game of the NL champions by beating Philadelphia 10-3.
Chris Taylor hit a tying double off Brad Boxberger (3-7) in the top of the ninth. Escobar sent a full-count fastball from Maeda (8-10) into the right-field seats, stopping Arizona's four-game losing streak.
David Peralta had a two-run double and pinch-hitter Ildemaro Vargas lined a run-scoring single in the seventh inning for Arizona (80-78), which needs two wins to ensure consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 2007-08.
Cody Bellinger hit a solo home run for the Dodgers.
Coming off a career-high 12-strikeout performance against Colorado in a no-decision, Los Angeles starter Walker Buehler allowed two runs and four hits in six innings.
He gave up a pair of singles through the first five innings and led 1-0 before allowing Peralta's double. Enrique Hernandez hit a tying single in the seventh following Yasmani Grandal's leadoff triple.
Matt Koch gave up a leadoff homer to Bellinger in the second, Los Angeles' NL-leading 227th home run this season. Koch allowed one run and five hits in 4 1/3 innings.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Diamondbacks: 1B Christian Walker is out for the season with a sinus fracture after being hit by a pitch from Maeda on Monday night. ... RHP Shelby Miller, recovering from Tommy John surgery, threw a 60-pitch simulated game and could pitch this weekend against San Diego.
UP NEXT
Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke is 2-1 with a 4.29 ERA this season against the Dodgers heading into Wednesday's series finale. Dodgers RHP Ross Stripling is 1-1 with a 4.80 ERA in three career starts against Arizona.
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