Diamondbacks Hold 7-3 Lead Over Dodgers Through Six Innings Despite Late Surge by Betts and Ohtani
LOS ANGELES — On a warm evening at Dodger Stadium, the Arizona Diamondbacks delivered an early offensive explosion against the Los
Diamondbacks Hold 7-3 Lead Over Dodgers Through Six Innings Despite Late Surge by Betts and Ohtani
LOS ANGELES — On a warm evening at Dodger Stadium, the Arizona Diamondbacks delivered an early offensive explosion against the Los Angeles Dodgers, taking a commanding 7-0 lead by the fifth inning. But in the sixth, the home team showed signs of life, energizing the crowd with solo home runs from superstar hitters Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani, trimming the deficit to 7-3.
What was shaping up to be a runaway win for Arizona has now turned into a game teetering on momentum, with the Dodgers looking to rally behind their fans and firepower.
Brandon Pfaadt Silences Dodgers Early
Arizona’s starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt was in control for the majority of his outing. Through the first five innings, he kept the dangerous Dodgers lineup quiet, mixing a sharp fastball with a nasty slider that left even the most disciplined batters guessing.
The Diamondbacks’ right-hander worked efficiently, allowing minimal traffic on the bases and striking out five during his first five frames. His command and poise on the mound were key in keeping the high-powered Dodgers at bay, including retiring both Betts and Ohtani in their first at-bats.
But in the sixth, with one out and the game seemingly in hand, the Dodgers’ bats woke up.
Betts and Ohtani Spark a Comeback Attempt
Mookie Betts, who had already homered earlier in the game, stepped up once again and crushed a solo shot to deep left-center off Pfaadt’s fastball. The crowd, which had been subdued for most of the game, erupted as Betts rounded the bases.
Just one batter later, Shohei Ohtani followed with a towering blast of his own, marking back-to-back home runs for the Dodgers and suddenly injecting life into a game that was slipping away from them. Pfaadt, who had dominated through the first five innings, was visibly shaken after the long balls but managed to finish the inning without further damage.
It was a reminder of the Dodgers’ explosive potential. With Betts and Ohtani at the top of the order, no lead is ever truly safe.
Diamondbacks’ Offensive Onslaught Early On
Before the Dodgers could make their push, it was all Arizona.
The Diamondbacks jumped on Dodgers starter James Paxton early, plating four runs in the second inning. Arizona’s bats were aggressive and smart, working counts and capitalizing on every mistake. Christian Walker started the rally with a double down the line, followed by a series of hits from Ketel Marte and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. that quickly put Arizona ahead 3-0. An RBI groundout from Gabriel Moreno extended the lead to 4-0 before the Dodgers could get out of the inning.
Arizona added three more in the fifth, with back-to-back hits from Corbin Carroll and Walker again leading the way. A two-run double by Marte chased Paxton from the game and had Dodgers manager Dave Roberts making an early call to the bullpen.
At 7-0, the Diamondbacks looked poised to cruise to victory, but the sixth inning reminded everyone that no lead is ever safe in Dodger Stadium.
Momentum Shifting Toward the Dodgers?
Despite trailing by four runs heading into the seventh, the Dodgers’ two-homer sixth inning reignited the stadium and the players. The crowd, which had been eerily quiet during Arizona’s offensive barrage, suddenly had reason to believe in a comeback.
Mookie Betts, in particular, has been the heartbeat of the Dodgers tonight. With two home runs already, he’s locked in at the plate and proving once again why he remains one of baseball’s most complete and dangerous players. Ohtani, who had been relatively quiet in recent games, also seems to be heating up—a scary thought for opposing pitchers.
If the Dodgers can keep applying pressure, especially with the heart of their lineup coming up again in the later innings, this game could very well turn into a classic ninth-inning finish.
Bullpen Management Crucial Moving Forward
With Pfaadt’s night likely done after six strong but slightly rocky innings, the Diamondbacks will now rely on their bullpen to hold the lead. Manager Torey Lovullo will have to choose his arms wisely, especially with a reawakened Dodgers lineup staring down the late innings.
Arizona’s middle relief has been solid but inconsistent at times this season, and against a team like L.A., even the smallest mistake can lead to a big inning. Expect Lovullo to mix and match to keep hitters off-balance, possibly saving closer Paul Sewald for a potential ninth-inning save opportunity if the lead holds.
On the other side, the Dodgers’ bullpen has already been called into action, and with four innings left to play, they’ll need to keep the Diamondbacks off the board to give their offense a fighting chance.
Key Moments Still to Come
As the game heads into the seventh inning, all eyes will be on how the Diamondbacks handle the Dodgers’ late-game offense and whether the momentum Betts and Ohtani created in the sixth will carry over. With just a four-run difference and several innings to play, this game is far from over.
Betts is already 3-for-3 with two home runs and is set to bat again in the eighth or ninth, depending on how the Dodgers lineup turns over. Ohtani’s solo shot might just be the start of a hot streak, and Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, and Will Smith have yet to make their mark tonight.
What’s at Stake
This game is not just another early-season matchup. Both the Diamondbacks and Dodgers are fighting for early positioning in the NL West. Arizona, the 2023 National League champions, is looking to prove their playoff run was no fluke, while the Dodgers, reloaded with stars like Ohtani, are aiming to reassert their dominance in the division.
A win for Arizona would be a statement road victory, while a comeback win for Los Angeles would demonstrate the relentless resilience of one of baseball’s best lineups.
Final Thoughts (Through Six Innings)
Arizona may still be ahead 7-3, but the tides are shifting. With the top of the Dodgers order finding their groove and the crowd firmly back in the game, the next few innings could define this matchup.
Whether it ends as a Diamondbacks’ statement win or a Dodgers’ thrilling comeback, fans at Dodger Stadium are in for a compelling finish.
About the Creator
kb daily
Covering today’s trends, tomorrow’s conversations. I publish daily stories on the hottest topics in entertainment, culture, and the internet—one scroll-worthy headline at a time
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