D-backs' speed, bunt beat Dodgers 2-1, overcomes Syndergaard
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol can't handle an RBU bunt single by Arizona Diamondbacks' Jake McCarthy during the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. Credit: AP/Mark J. Terrill
LOS ANGELES — Jake McCarthy drove in the tiebreaking run with a bunt single in the ninth inning, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Dodgers 2-1 on Sunday to overcome Noah Syndergaard in his first start for Los Angeles.
With the score 1-1, Ketel Marte doubled against Brusdar Graterol (0-1) leading off the ninth. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singled to right and Mookie Betts charged and threw a strike to catcher Will Smith, who applied a swipe tag.
Christian Walker singled and Corbin Carroll hit into a forceout that left runners on second and third.
Carroll swiped second for his third stolen base of the game, and McCarthy got his first hit this season when he bunted to the right side and Graterol, running off the mound, couldn't come up with the ball cleanly as he tried to scoop it and flip to first baseman Freddie Freeman in one move.
Andrew Chafin (1-0) pitched two-third of an inning for the win.
Scott McGough, a 33-year-old right-hander who on Friday made his first big league appearance since 2015, got the final two outs for his first save. striking out Chris Taylor and retiring pinch-hitter Jayson Heyward on a groundout.
Syndergaard made his Dodgers debut after signing a $13 million, one-year contract. The 30-year-old right-hander started with seven strikes and retired 12 of his first 13 batters.
Arizona Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr., right, is congratulated by Geraldo Perdomo after scoring on a bunt single by Jake McCarthy during the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. Credit: AP/Mark J. Terrill
He gave up one run and four hits in six innings, striking out six and walking none. No longer the flamethrowing Thor of his youth, he threw 78 pitches and averaged 94.1 mph with his fastball and 93.6 mph with his sinker.
Will Smith homered in the fist off Zach Davies, one of four hits by the Dodgers.
Arizona tied the score in the fifth when Carroll singled, stole second and third and scored on Geraldo Perdomo's double.
NEXT DAY
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol reacts following the ninth inning after he gave up an RBI bunt single to Arizona Diamondbacks' Jake McCarthy during a baseball game Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. Credit: AP/Mark J. Terrill
A day after hitting three home runs, Trayce Thompson was 0 for 4 with a pair of strikeouts.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Dodgers: RHP Tony Gonsolin (sprained left ankle) will go to the spring training complex to face hitters.
UP NEXT
Diamondbacks: RHP Ryne Nelson (0-0, 0.00 ERA) made his major league debut against the Padres in September and will face them again Monday in San Diego. He threw seven scoreless innings in an Arizona win.
Dodgers: RHP Michael Grove (0-0, 0.00) is expected to make a handful of starts with Ryan Pepiot on the IL. Grove, who will make the start against the Colorado Rockies on Monday, was selected in the second round by the Dodgers in 2018 and made his major league debut last year.
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