Walker Buehler took a no-hitter into the eighth inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers won a fourth consecutive series by defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks, 9-3, in the second game of their weekend series at Chase Field.
After not scratching until late in the game on Friday, the Dodgers were quick to jump on the Diamondbacks. Will Smith lifted an opposite-field two-run home run in the first inning and Gavin Lux added an RBI single in the second.
Buehler’s dominant performance upheld the 3-0 lead until Justin Turner broke the game open in the sixth inning with a three-run double.
Mookie Betts’ sacrifice fly scored AJ Pollock in the seventh inning, and Chris Taylor punctuated the night with a two-run homer in the eighth. Smith finished 3-for-4 and a triple shy of the cycle.
Will sends one deep and the home crowd goes wild. pic.twitter.com/TJYncevi46
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 20, 2021
Dunk on 'em, JT.
🗳: https://t.co/BXKr9ILkke pic.twitter.com/wZkorCvwHN
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 20, 2021
Chris Taylor, that is all. pic.twitter.com/8lxEWfSttS
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 20, 2021
Desert heat. @buehlersdayoff's final line tonight: 7.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 11 K pic.twitter.com/4dDP0fqno5
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 20, 2021
Buehler faced some traffic in the second inning when he hit Carson Kelly with a pitch and walked David Peralta. However, he escaped the jam by inducing Pavin Smith into a double play. Ketel Marte walked to lead off the fourth inning, which Buehler followed by retiring 12 in a row.
Buehler extended his streak of completing at least six innings in every start this season and reached the eighth for the first time in 2021. However, the no-hit bid was immediately lost as Peralta led off with a flare single.
Buehler gave up a second hit with one out and was removed from the game at 108 pitches. He fell short of throwing a no-hitter but set a season high with 11 strikeouts.
Buehler ties Dodgers record
In earning the win, Buehler tied Kirby Higbe for the longest unbeaten streak in Dodgers franchise history at 23 starts. Buehler had previously surpassed Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urias for the L.A. franchise record by not taking a loss in 22 consecutive outings.
When including the postseason, Buehler has not been tabbed with a loss in 30 straight starts. His last defeat came Sept. 21, 2019, to the Colorado Rockies.
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