Van Slyke Hits Walkoff Homer In 11th To Lift Dodgers Over Dbacks 5-3
Matt Kamlet, CBSLA.com
CHAVEZ RAVINE (CBSLA.com) — Following Monday night's tremendous performance, in which the Dodgers hit the long ball over the outfield walls six times, Dodger Stadium again had reason to erupt on Tuesday night.
Scott Van Slyke connected on a pinch-hit 2-run shot to left in the 11th inning to lift the Dodgers over the Diamondbacks 5-3.
The win clinched the Dodgers their 18th series win in their last 24 series.
Staying consistent after his record night, in which he went 4-for-4 with three home runs, Juan Uribe got things going on offense for the Dodgers again on Tuesday night.
After Uribe advanced to third on a single by Mark Ellis in the second, he scored when Edinson Volquez was able to track a breaking ball for a bunt. The ball rolled directly in front of the plate before Miguel Montero fired to second to try to retire Ellis. The throw was short, and Didi Gregorious couldn't backhand the ball, which rolled into the outfield, allowing the run the score.
The Diamondbacks struck back in the fourth when Miguel Montero connected to slap an single to left, scoring the birthday boy Paul Goldschmidt (who turned 26 today), to bring Arizona within a run.
Following a leadoff walk to Gerardo Parra, Gregorious changed the tide in the fifth when he crushed a towering 2-run shot half way up the right field pavilion, giving Arizona a 3-2 lead. It was Gregorius' seventh homer of the year.
There was a scare in the bottom of the fifth, when Hanley Ramirez, who was on a five-game hitting streak, fouled a fastball off the inside of his left foot. Ramirez, who has the fifth highest average against NL West opponents since 1969, immediately went down and looked unable to get up. Medical staff, along with Don Mattingly, came out to take a look, and Ramirez got to his feet, to the sound of cheers, and ended up staying for the rest of his at-bat, in which he walked, or limped, to first.
Ramirez, ironically, ended up scoring the tying run after Andre Ethier smacked a double, his 32nd of the year, deep to right field, evening the game at three runs.
The look on Ramirez' face didn't look good as he rounded third, grimacing with every step.
On the mound, in contrast with his last disastrous start in Colorado, Edinson Volquez had a moderately quiet night, giving up three earned runs over six innings. Although, he did strike out five batters, and earned his fifth quality start against Arizona at home this year in his second start in a Dodger uniform.
The Dodgers' magic number is down to six.
