PHOENIX — In a stellar performance on the mound, Corbin Burnes crafted a brilliant seven innings without allowing a run, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night. This came just after a high-scoring excitement the previous day, where the Dodgers claimed a 14-11 win in a dramatic contest.
Burnes, making his return after a brief hiatus due to a shoulder issue, demonstrated why he was the 2021 National League Cy Young Award recipient. His outing, which included allowing only five hits, securing five strikeouts, and issuing two walks, marked his second win of the season, bringing his record to 2-1.
The Dodgers had formidable representation on the mound with Dustin May, who closely mirrored Burnes’ tenacity. Although May recorded a loss to bring his tally to 1-3, his 6 2/3 innings allowed just two runs on seven hits, with five strikeouts and a singular walk.
Arizona took a 1-0 lead in a pivotal fourth inning when Corbin Carroll hammered a leadoff triple and scored thanks to Ketel Marte’s groundout. Eugenio Suarez expanded the lead to 2-0 with a commanding 455-foot home run in the sixth inning, marking his 12th blast of the season. Further extending their lead, Pavin Smith’s RBI double in the ninth secured a 3-0 cushion.
Ryne Nelson took over the last two innings for his inaugural save of the season, flawlessly setting down all six of the batters he encountered. The Dodgers managed five hits but failed to log any for extra bases, with Shohei Ohtani contributing a single and a walk.
This victory pushes the Diamondbacks ahead in the series, having seized two out of three games against the Dodgers thus far, and they eye a series win on Sunday. A key highlight was Nelson’s remarkable feat in the eighth inning, seamlessly dispatching the eminent trio of Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman.
Eugenio Suarez continues to lead the D-backs with his 12 home runs this season, setting a trajectory toward achieving nearly 50 homers.
Next up, the Dodgers plan to send right-hander Tony Gonsolin (1-0, 4.09 ERA) to the mound as they face off with the Diamondbacks’ right-hander Zac Gallen (3-4, 4.37 ERA) on Sunday.