Diamondbacks-Dodgers preview
LOS ANGELES -- For the first time in more than three years, the Arizona Diamondbacks have an opportunity to capture a series at Dodger Stadium.
Jean Segura hit a leadoff homer and rookie Braden Shipley won his first major league game, helping the Diamondbacks to a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night before 49,540.
Saturday's win occurred one night after the Dodgers used a five-run rally to wipe out a four-run deficit in the seventh inning for a 9-7 decision over the Diamondbacks.
Arizona won for only the fifth time in the last 23 games at Dodger Stadium. They have gone 7-0-1 in eight series against the Dodgers in L.A. since winning one in June 2013.
Shipley (1-1) played a prominent role in the outcome. Shipley blanked Los Angeles for six innings, allowing five hits with four strikeouts and a walk. It was a stark contrast from his debut on July 25 when Shipley was knocked around for six runs in 5 1/3 innings in a loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
"Super excited. Can't take all of the credit. Defense played great behind me all night," said Shipley, who became the seventh Diamondbacks pitcher to toss six or more scoreless innings within his first two career starts. "Can't say enough about our defense tonight."
Shipley's ability to keep his pitches down resulted in the Dodgers hitting just three fly balls against him, two of them coming off the bat of rookie shortstop Corey Seager.
"Just sticking with my plan," Shipley said. "Staying down in the zone and using my sinker effectively and that's kind of what I knew I had to do coming into tonight, just to be able to work down in the zone and mix pitches and use that sinker."
Diamondbacks left-hander Patrick Corbin (4-9, 5.31 ERA) will face Dodgers right-hander Bud Norris (6-9, 4.27) in the series finale on Sunday. Corbin is 0-2 with a 5.51 ERA in four starts against the Dodgers this season. Corbin is 2-1 with a 3.35 ERA in five career starts at Dodger Stadium. He has allowed a run or fewer three times.
Norris picked up his first win against the Diamondbacks the last time he faced them on July 15 at Chase Field, where he allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings of a 13-7 Dodgers victory. Norris fanned five and did not issue a walk while throwing 98 pitches.
In nine career games (six starts) against the Diamondbacks, Norris is 1-7 with a 12.65 ERA. He has struck out 27 batters in 26 1/3 innings.
Norris is hoping for a better fate than teammate Scott Kazmir, who had not lost in his last 13 outings -- going 7-0 during the run. Kazmir (9-4) struck out seven, walked none and surrendered four runs and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings as his streak ended in Saturday's loss. He hadn't lost a start in July since 2010.
"We just let this one slip away," said Kazmir, who threw 109 pitches (77 strikes). "Giving up a three-spot early in the game and kind of setting the tone. Shipley was great out there. He really pitched well. Just one of those things we just didn't kind of finish at the end."
