|
 Utley hit a leadoff homer and drove in the go-ahead run in the
eighth inning, and Los Angeles snapped a four-game slide with a 4-1
victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.
Utley doubled off reliever David Hernandez to score shortstop
Rollins, who reached on a bunt to open the eighth, as the Dodgers
(85-65) increased their lead over the San Francisco Giants to seven
games in the National League West with 11 to play.
Los Angeles reduced its magic number to five to clinch a third
consecutive division crown when San Francisco lost 5-4 to the San
Diego Padres.
"Every victory from here on out is important," said Utley, who went
2-for-4 with two RBIs and his first home run since Sept. 4.
"Obviously, we're getting closer to the finish line. It would be
nice to finish strong."
Rollins, who started for the first time since Sept. 6 after
recovering from a sprained right index finger, tied Mickey Mantle's
career mark for hits by a switch hitter at 2,415.
Utley, who was reunited with Rollins about a month ago, said being
in a playoff race has rejuvenated him.
"I almost forgot what it was like being in this type of atmosphere,"
said Utley, whom the Dodgers acquired in a trade with the Phillies
in August. Rollins was obtained by Los Angeles in an offseason deal
with Philadelphia.
"It's definitely refreshing. It's fun and it's going to be
exciting."
Rookie Corey Seager, who started at third base for the first time in
the majors, hit a two-run homer in the eighth to cap the scoring.
Seager, who went 1-for-4, has reached base in each of his first 18
major league starts, a Los Angeles franchise record.
Dodgers starter Carlos Frias, who got the nod when Zack Greinke was
scratched earlier in the day with a sore right calf, allowed a run
on one hit with two strikeouts in four innings. Frias' lone mistake
was a pitch that first baseman Paul Goldschmidt deposited into the
stands for his 31st home run of the season.
"I tried to throw the first pitch for a strike, but I made a mistake
right down the middle," Frias said. "He's one of the best hitters."
Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said his club didn't benefit from
facing Frias instead of Greinke, one of the front-runners for the
National League Cy Young Award.
"You never want to face Greinke, but we have not fared well against
Frias, so I don't know if it was much better," Hale said.
The Dodgers' bullpen kept Arizona scoreless the rest of the way.
Reliever Chris Hatcher (3-5) worked a hitless two-thirds of an
inning for the win.
Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen pitched a scoreless ninth for his 33rd
save.
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"The bullpen was outstanding tonight," Utley said. "That was huge
and kept us in the game."
Hernandez (1-5) gave up two runs on two hits in one-third of an
inning.
The loss wiped out a strong outing by Arizona's Chase Anderson.
After serving up the homer to Utley, Anderson shut down the Dodgers.
Anderson, who struck out five in a row at one point, did not give up
another a hit, retiring 18 of the final 20 batters he faced.
Anderson struck out a career-high 10 while allowing one run, one hit
and two walks in six innings.
Utley drove the first pitch from Anderson to right-center. The ball
bounced off of the glove of center fielder A.J. Pollock and over the
wall for a 1-0 Los Angeles lead. It was Utley's eighth home run this
season and his first ever as a leadoff hitter.
In the second, Goldschmidt hit a solo blast to right-center to tie
the score. For Goldschmidt, it was his 21st career long ball against
the Dodgers, the most by any active opposing player. Goldschmidt
also joined Chad Tracy (2005) as the only Arizona players to homer
in four straight games at Dodger Stadium.
"He's swinging it well," Hale said. "Even the last ball he hit
tonight was a line drive."
NOTES: Dodgers manager Don Mattingly on the passing of Yogi Berra:
"I think the reason he was so loved, it wasn't about his career,
even though he was a great, great player, it was really more about
the person, how great a guy he was, the way he treated people, how
humble, how sincere, kind he was to people. That's what really
defined him and why he's touched so many people." Mattingly has worn
Berra's No. 8 since he joined the Dodgers in 2004 as a coach under
former manager Joe Torre. ... Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (6-4,
2.99 ERA) will face Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw (14-7, 2.18 ERA) in
the series finale Thursday.
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