AZ Hardball - Arizona Diamondbacks, Cactus League, Fall League » Los Angeles Dodgers

D-backs Lose Heartbreaker in the Tenth

AZ Hardball — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 05:51:49 +0000

The Arizona Diamondbacks played the Los Angeles Dodgers for game two of the three game series. Pitcher Dan Haren pitched a fantastic game with seven strike outs walking no batters through eight inning. The opposing pitcher, John Ely would throw seven innings striking out five and walking two. The game would remain scoreless through nine innings. In the bottom of the tenth inning, Matt Kemp of the Dodgers would hit a walk-off home run off of Juan Gutierrez to win the game.

In a tough loss for the D-backs the game remained close for the second night in a row. The spirit of the team seemed to be crushed at the end of the game for obvious reasons as the team would lose their ninth loss in a row. The D-backs face the Dodgers for the final game of the series in an afternoon game at Dodger stadium.

Sloppy Play Demise in L.A.

AZ Hardball — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 04:41:52 +0000

The Arizona Diamondbacks have now lost eight in a row as they struggle to earn a win and battle with sub-par relief pitching. While the current road trip does not look to be any less of a challenge for the Diamondbacks, it is one that they surely hope will make things will turn around for the team. In a less than familiar story, the cause of the Diamondbacks’ troubles were not centered around relief for the game against the Dodgers but plays on the field. Despite this, a play during D-backs’ relief pitching would cost the team the game. Rodrigo Lopez would face Chad Billingsley in a night game at Dodger stadium that was highlighted by the return of Dodger right fielder Andre Ethier.

Ethier would have a quiet evening as some hoped that he would be able to make an impact in the game. Andre would go 0 for 4 leaving three runners on base. Arizona would begin the game strong with a lead off double by Kelly Johnson who would be driven in on a home run by the next batter, Justin Upton. With a two to nothing lead, Chris Young and Chris Snyder would go yard to make the score four to nothing after one and a half innings of play. In the bottom of the second inning, the Dodgers would put their first run on the board as a result of a homer by Manny Ramirez. The Dodgers would score again in the following inning on a Matt Kemp single that would drive in Blake DeWitt.

The D-backs would be unable to drive in any more runs in the game as the two teams headed into the bottom of the eighth with the score four to two in favor of Arizona. With two outs in the bottom half of the inning, things would begin to unravel for the Diamondbacks. After a base hit by Rafael Furcal and a double by Matt Kemp, both runners would score on a fielding error by second baseman Kelly Johnson. In the bottom of the ninth inning with a runner on third, the game winning run would cross the plate on a balk by Esmerling Vasquez. The Diamondbacks would let the first game of the three game series slip away as they lose the game by a score of four to five. Dan Haren will pitch against John Ely in game two of the series as he looks to break the D-backs’ eight game losing streak and to bounce back from his last two uncharacteristic performances.

D-backs swept for second series in a row

Dean — Thu, 13 May 2010 06:49:27 +0000

I wish I was telling you the Arizona Diamondbacks moved into first place or even climbed positions after their 6-game home series, but the D-backs were swept for the second time in a row this time by division rivals Los Angeles Dodgers. During the three game set with the Dodgers the D-backs never held a lead in any game.

Edwin Jackson got the start tonight for the D-backs at home and allowed six earned runs on sevin hits and four walks in 6.2 innings of work against the Dodgers. The D-backs bullpen did their job tonight after a rough home stand shutting out the Dodgers in 2.1 innings.

Andre Ethier continued his dominance against the D-backs and the NL with a 1-for-4 performance scoring two runs and knocking in two on a homer. Etheir is so hot he was intentionally walked in the seventh inning so the D-backs could face Manny Rameriez who is hitting .393 when healthy this season. Rameriez made Jackson pay by delivering a base clearing double to blow the game open.

At the plate the D-backs bats continued their recent struggle striking out 12 times. D-backs first baseman Adam LaRoche knocked in all three of the D-backs runs on two hits.

D-backs in last place in West after another loss

Dean — Tue, 11 May 2010 07:18:49 +0000

The Arizona Diamondbacks are now 3-7 in their last ten games and have lost 4 in a row at home after today’s loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Wondering why Arizona is struggling so bad? Here are some numbers that may help 7.32, 8.16, 6.75, 6.94, 9.58, 6.1, 8.1, 7.00, those are just a few of the ERA’s on the team after 33 games. Tonight it was Rodrigo Lopez and Bob Howry’s night to struggle from the mound as they allowed 7 runs in 8.2 innings of work.

The arms are not the only thing struggling of late as the bats have cooled off greatly this month. Tonight the one through four hitters were a combined 1-for-13 with 8 strikeouts. Chris Young continued to be one of the most consistent players to date this year going 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored including a solo home run.

Former Sun Devil and Phoenix native Andre Ethier went 3-for-5 with two RBI’s on his return trip to the Valley of the Sun. The Dodgers pen did their job allowing one one run over their 3.2 innings of work.

D-backs blow another lead in ninth inning this time cannot rally in extra innings

Dean — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 06:12:19 +0000

Arizona Diamondbacks ace Dan Haren looked back in form tonight after a rough start last outing going 6.1 innings and allowing two runs on two hits, two walks and striking out seven. The D-backs would take a 5-3 lead heading into the last of the ninth when closer Chad Qualls would blow his second save in as many nights. Qualls allowed three hits and two walks which lead to two runs and a tie 5-5 score sending the game into extra innings.

Conner Jackson had his best night in the leadoff spot going 3-for-4 with an RBI and Justin Upton hit his third homer of the season in the eight inning. After Jonathan Broxton shut the D-backs down in order in the top of the tenth, Blaine Boyer could not follow suit in the bottom of the inning for Arizona. Boyer walked a runner and allowed two hits as the Dodger won 6-5.

D-backs rally in 11th after blowing lead in 9th

Dean — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 07:37:59 +0000

Rodrigo Lopez made his second start of the season for the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight and allowed eleven hits in five innings that lead to five runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers sent Chad Billingsly to the mound and Billingsly lasted 5.2 innings allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks.

The D-backs were able to get to Billingsly for three runs in the fourth inning including Stephen Drew’s second homer of the year. After the D-backs tied the game with their three run fourth inning the Dodgers jumped back up 5-3 off Matt Kemp’s third of the season with one on and two out.

Arizona would take a 7-6 lead into the 9th inning with their closer Chad Qualls on the mound. Qualls would not be able to hold the lead as he allowed one run to score on two hits and a walk. The D-backs would get to former teammate Russ Ortiz for the second night in the row, this time in the 11th inning. Drew would get the 11th going with a leadoff single and was followed by Adam LaRoche who reached on a walk moving Drew to second. Mark Reynolds would load the bases before Chris Young would line a pitch into left field scoring two runs and giving the D-backs the 9-7 victory.

Chris Young continued to be one of the hottest hitters in the NL early in the season going 2-for-4 with a walk and raising his average to .344. Young’s 14 RBI’s are among the leaders in baseball.

Reynolds homer not enough to lift D-backs over Dodgers

Dean — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 04:00:05 +0000

The Arizona Diamondbacks sent Ian Kennedy to the mound to start against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Dodgers first home game of the year. The Dodgers put on a show for their fans as they got to Kennedy for six runs on six hits, three walks and also allowed three homers in the game.

Kennedy had a solid spring and a strong outing in his first start of the year, but struggled today lasting only 4.1 innings. In the six hits Kennedy allowed three were homers, two were doubles and there was one single.

The Dodgers sent Clayton Kershaw to the mound for the home opener and he lasted 5.1 innings allowing five walks and three hits which lead to 2 runs. What saved Kershaw from an even rougher outing was striking out seven D-back hitters.

The D-backs were able to score three runs in the seventh inning off former teammate Russ Ortiz. The big hit came off the bat of Mark Reynolds who hit his third homer of the season for two runs. Chris Young continued to be one of Arizona’s hottest hitters going 2-for-4 with his 12th RBI of the season.

The D-backs are now 4-3 on the season and tied for second place in the NL West.

Dodgers Start Strong But End Quietly

AZ Hardball — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 05:36:15 +0000

The Los Angeles Dodgers looked to do some damage in one of their final games leading up to Opening Day as they faced the Indians at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers would score first in the second inning with two runs to lead the Cleveland Indians. Dodgers’ pitching would keep the game scoreless through four as the Indians would score their first run in the fifth inning off of a Grady Sizemore solo home run.

Los Angeles would score again in the bottom of the fifth before the Indians would score two in the seventh and another three in the eighth. The Dodgers were unable to score any more runs for the remainder of the game as they lose to the Cleveland Indians by a score of six to three.

Showtime in Vegas Starring the Reds

AZ Hardball — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 05:23:17 +0000

The Reds and Dodgers would hit the road and head to Vegas to play at Cashman Field. The Reds would get a huge jump on the Dodgers as they were able to score four runs in the first and five more in the second. Los Angeles would score their first run in the third as they chipped away at the Cincinnati lead. The Reds, however, would score another run in the fourth inning to lead the Dodgers by nine.

In the following half of the inning, the Dodgers would score two more runs and, yet another, in the fifth inning. For the Reds, center fielder Chris Dickerson would have the only homer of the game as he hit a two-run shot in the second inning. The Reds would score two more runs in the eighth as they win the game by a score of twelve to four.

Uribe’s 3rd homer of spring helps Giants down Dodgers

Dean — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 03:39:54 +0000

San Francisco Giants starter Haracio Ramirez went three shutout innings allowing three hits and striking out six while not walking any Dodgers batters. The Dodgers sent three pitchers to the mound for three innings each. Vicente Padilla got the start for the Dodgers and allowed three runs on four hits. Russ Ortiz who started the spring hot but has cooled off a little recently allowed one run on three hits in his three innings of work.

Dodgers first baseman John Lindsey knocked in both of the Dodgers runs on a 2-run homer in the sixth innings. Giants second baseman Matt Downs came off the bench and went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Juan Uribe got the start at second and hit his third homer of the spring.