Postgame Recap (8/8/17) – D-backs 6, Dodgers 3: Jake Lamb Grand Slam Powers D-backs Win

To say that Jake Lamb just had a breakout game would be a slight overstatement to say the least. He was, after all, an All-Star selection this year and had a fantastic first half to warrant that honor. But his second half has been a bit slow. Well, he just sped things up a bit tonight.

Lamb went deep not once, but twice in this game. The second time was in the bottom of the 7th inning and it came with the bases loaded. A grand slam that banged off the foul pole to give the D-backs a 6-3 lead.

Zack Godley was looking strong early in this one, until the 4th inning came along. Justin Turner got ahold of a hanging sinker and tattooed it to deep center field for a solo shot. The next batter, Cody Bellinger, then doubled and was driven in by a Logan Forsythe single.  The Dodgers had a 2-0 lead.

Chris Iannetta took Kenta Maeda deep for a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the 5th inning. Ketel Marte followed that hit up with a single. He advanced to third base on a throw from Maeda to first base, where no one was standing. With no outs, the D-backs couldn’t get the run across the plate. It was a frustrating end to a hopeful inning, a result that D-backs fans have seen happen time and again lately.

In the top of the 6th inning it was Justin Turner again, hitting his second home run of the game and extending the Dodger lead 3-1. It was starting to feel like maybe this one would get away from the D-backs.

The Diamondbacks responded in the bottom of the 6th inning. Jake Lamb hit the first of his two home runs on the night. This time it was a lead off homer that cut the Dodgers lead to one run.

To the bottom of the 7th we go. Chris Iannetta singled to lead off and advanced to second base on a wild pitch by Brandon Morrow. Ketel Marte took a weak swing on strike three for the first out. Adam Rosales came up next to pinch-hit for David Hernandez. He got hit by a pitch. With runners on first and second, David Peralta grounded out but managed to move the runners to second and third base. That would prove to be big.

With first base open, the Dodgers elected to intentionally walk righty A.J. Pollock and pitch to lefty Jake Lamb. You read that right, the Dodgers, with a one-run lead, chose to load the bases and take their chances against All-Star Jake Lamb. And he made them pay with a grand slam.

Archie Bradley and Fernando Rodney came on in relief in the 8th and 9th innings. While they each gave the Dodgers a baserunner, they both maintained control and shut the Dodgers down. For Rodney, it was he 26th save of the year.

Stats that matter

• Great outing by Godley but Justin Turner made him pay for two mistakes – 6.2 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 HR
• Jake Lamb did his best Paul Goldschmidt imitation – 2-for-4, 2 R, 5 RBI, 2 HR
• Chris Iannetta had a nice game – 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, HR
• Solid performance by the bullpen – 2.1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB 3 K

Bottom line

That was a win the D-backs needed and it was a win they earned. They’ve now put themselves in position to win this series which, considering how hot the Dodgers have been lately, is really saying something. It’s not too hard to feel good about tomorrow’s game, with Zack Greinke taking the hill for the D-backs. Oh, there is the thing about Alex Wood going for the Dodgers, but why ruin the moment?

On deck

The D-backs battle the Dodgers on Wednesday night at 6:40 pm MT. Their ace, Zack Greinke, will lead them into battle against the Dodgers in what is sure to be a must-see game.