Dodgers Score: LA Falls to Dbacks After Rough Graterol Inning, Syndergaard Good in Debut

The Dodgers fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks on a final of 2-1 to end opening weekend tied for first place in the National League West. Noah Syndergaard was exceptional for LA, allowing just 1 earned run over 6+ innings in his Dodger debut. On offense, the boys in blue came out a little flat with the sticks as Arizona’s Zach Davies kept hitters off balance all afternoon.

Before we get into reading about the action, don’t forget to check out the DN Postgame Show with Doug McKain live on YouTube!

Now let’s get into the game.

Will Smith got the Dodgers on the board first with an inning one solo home run off Davies.

Aaaaaand that was all she wrote. The LA offense scattered 4 hits and 4 walks in the losing effort. Miguel Vargas earned his league-leading 8th walk in a pinch hitting appearance.

Pitching

Syndergaard retired 12 of the first 13 batters he faced before allowing a leadoff single to speedster Corbin Carroll who stole second and third base and scored on a two out single in the 5th inning.

Thor came out for the 7th inning but was pulled after a leadoff single by Christian Walker. Caleb Ferguson came in and got an immediate 4-6-3 double play started by Mookie Betts.

Things got a little dicey for Dodger pitching after Ferguson as the D-backs had traffic in the 8th and 9th. Evan Phillips was bailed out on a nice double play in the 8th but Brusdar Graterol struggled to miss bats. After a leadoff double by Ketel Marte, Graterol was bailed out for a minute on a Mookie Betts outfield assist (after he moved out from second base).

Walker followed with a single. Carroll grounded into a force play then quickly stole second base to put runners on second and third. Jake McCarthy followed with a perfect bunt that Graterol couldn’t field cleanly. The D-backs scored the go ahead run on the play and that was all she wrote.

One positive note:

Dodger starting pitching has been dominant to open the season. Julio Urias, Dustin May, Clayton Kershaw, and Syndergaard combined to throw 25 innings allowing just 15 hits, 4 runs, and 1 walk while striking out 25.

Next, the Dodgers welcome the Colorado Rockies to Dodger Stadium tomorrow night with rookie right-hander Michael Grove — filling in for the injured Ryan Pepiot who was set to fill in for the injured Tony Gonsolin — getting the start against First pitch is set for 7:10 pm PST. Be sure to tune in to Dodgers Nation TV on YouTube for a pregame live stream of our Blue Heaven Podcast. Join the chat!