The Los Angeles Dodgers bounced back from their first loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks through eight head-to-head meetings this season with a historic 22-1 thrashing to set the stage for a rubber match at Dodger Stadium on Sunday.
Mookie Betts and Chris Taylor lit the spark for the offense with a walk and single, respectively, to open the bottom of the first inning. Fellow Dodgers All-Star Max Muncy then pulled a two-run double down the line for an early lead.
Cody Bellinger and AJ Pollock added to that with back-to-back home runs before Diamondbacks starter Caleb Smith could get out of the inning. For Pollock it marked a third consecutive game with a home run.
Smith ran into more trouble in the second as walker Buehler led off with a base hit, which was followed by walks from Betts and Taylor. Two pitches after a foul ball grazed the netting and prevented Christian Walker from making a catch, Turner connected on a grand slam to break the game open.
Making it all the more memorable was the grand slam came hours after Turner — and Buehler — were named to the National League roster as 2021 MLB All-Star Game replacements. “Being able to go and represent the National League, represent the Dodgers as an All-Star is amazing, honestly,” Turner said.
“You look at the history of this organization, all the great players that come through, to be able to wear a Dodger uniform and participate in the All-Star Game is something that’s pretty special.”
The Dodgers erupted again in the seventh inning behind a grand slam from Betts, and Zach McKinstry and Albert Pujols combining for back-to-back home runs. Pollock added to his tear with a solo home run in the eighth inning.
With their normal relievers unable to get outs, the Diamondbacks turned to Josh Reddick. He surrendered a home run to Pujols, who is up to 675 in his career.
Staked an early lead to work with, Buehler held the Diamondbacks to just three hits and collected seven strikeouts over six innings. Phil Bickford, Garrett Cleavinger and Jake Reed each threw one inning out of the bullpen. The lone run allowed was charged to Cleavinger on a homer.
Dodgers set season highs, tie franchise marks
The eight home runs and 22 runs scored both marked season-highs for the Dodgers. It was their first time with 20 runs in a game since 2018, and most ever at Dodger Stadium. The eight home runs also tied a franchise record.
The Dodgers’ nine grand slams this season lead all of baseball and are one away from tying a franchise record set in 2004.
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