PHOENIX, Ariz. ( Associated Press) — Mookie Betts homered in the first inning of the game, Justin Turner had four hits and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 on Saturday.
Betts hit 32 homers in the opening at-bat, popping a Merrill Kelly fastball over the right-field fence for his sixth four-corner shot in the past eight games. The 29-year-old slugger has been a catalyst for the Dodgers’ attack, who are 27-5 when Betts scores a run.
Turner added two doubles and a pair of singles, contributing four of the team’s 10 hits. Daniel Hudson pitched scoreless in the ninth to reach three saves, despite giving up a double to Ketel Marte early in the inning.
The D-backs responded to Betts’ home run and took a 2-1 lead in the second on a pair of two-run 3-pointers, first by Jake McCarthy and then by Geraldo Perdomo. Both were lines that reached the cavern of Chase Field between right and center field.
The Dodgers won despite several baserunning errors. Edwin Rios and Freddie Freeman were caught off guard at first, Trea Turner was pulled on a steal attempt and Gavin Lux was pulled at third after wanting to advance on a fly ball.
Tony Gonsolin (5-0) had another strong start for the Dodgers, allowing only two earned runs in six innings. The right-hander hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his nine starts this year and is averaging 1.80 over 45 innings.
The Angels have won three in a row and 12 of the most recent 14.
For the Dodgers, Puerto Rican Edwin Ríos 4-1 and Dominican Hanser Alberto 1-0.
For the Diamondbacks, Venezuelans David Peralta 4-1 with a run scored and José Herrera 2-0; the Dominicans Geraldo Perdomo 3-1 and Ketel Marte 4-1.
