HR-happy Dodgers surge past D-Backs, win doubleheader opener

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mookie Betts, Trea Turner and Justin Turner homered in a five-run sixth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers outlasted the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-6 Tuesday to begin the first doubleheader ever played by the NL West rivals.

Will Smith also connected early for the Dodgers, whose four homers matched their season high. Betts also doubled and singled, and Freddie Freeman added a key RBI single in the seventh inning of Los Angeles' third straight win.

Christian Walker hit an early two-run homer and Alek Thomas added a solo shot in the seventh for the Diamondbacks, who lost their fourth straight in the opener of Dodger Stadium's first doubleheader since 1999. Ketel Marte drove in two runs, but Arizona lost at Dodger Stadium for the 21st time in 24 games.

The Dodgers fell behind by multiple runs for the seventh consecutive game, but rallied to win again when their sluggers finally got to Tyler Gilbert (0-2) in the sixth.

Ryan Pepiot gave up three runs and two hits over four innings for Los Angeles in his second big league start. Five relievers then combined for five innings of four-hit ball, with Justin Bruihl (1-1) getting the win.

Third base umpire Larry Vanover ejected Dodgers manager Dave Roberts in the ninth inning after Vanover ruled that leadoff hitter Geraldo Perdomo checked his swing on Craig Kimbrel's two-strike pitch. Replays appeared to show a clear swing by Perdomo, who subsequently drew a walk and eventually scored on Marte's two-out, infield single.

Kimbrel calmly struck out three batters to finish his seventh save — his second against Arizona in 17 hours.

With a no-doubt shot to left-center in the third, Walker homered in his second straight game at Chavez Ravine, continuing his career-long excellence against the Dodgers.

His 13 homers...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/HR-happy-Dodgers-surge-past-D-Backs-win-17180007.php