Diamondbacks Defeat Dodgers with Moreno’s Grand Slam

PHOENIX: In a compelling match held at Chase Field on Thursday, the Arizona Diamondbacks secured a 5-3 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers, highlighted by Gabriel Moreno’s grand slam against Yoshinobu Yamamoto and a stellar pitching performance from Brandon Pfaadt, who pitched six and one-third scoreless innings.

Moreno and Ketel Marte each launched their first home run of the season, boosting the D-backs’ offensive efforts.

Yamamoto (4-3), previously holding a National League-best 0.90 ERA, faced difficulties, as his ERA escalated to 1.81 after conceding five runs from six hits over five innings. He recorded four strikeouts and issued one walk.

Shohei Ohtani contributed with a solo homer in the ninth inning, marking his 11th of the season; however, it wasn’t sufficient to alter the outcome as the Dodgers suffered their third loss in the past five games.

Pfaadt (6-2) showcased his pitching prowess by allowing only four singles and issuing three walks, while striking out six over 6.1 innings.

Jalen Beeks relieved Pfaadt in the seventh inning with a runner on base, striking out both Enrique Hernández and Ohtani, eliciting enthusiastic cheers from the crowd of 40,319 spectators.

Max Muncy managed two hits and an RBI for the Dodgers, while Mookie Betts and Will Smith each added two hits, but their combined efforts proved insufficient.

Moreno initiated the scoring with a grand slam in the fourth inning, followed by Marte’s solo shot in the fifth, extending the lead to 5-0.

The Dodgers countered with two runs in the eighth and Ohtani’s homer in the ninth, yet their comeback attempt fell short.

Looking forward, right-hander Roki Sasaki (1-1, 3.86 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers against left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (1-3, 5.92 ERA) and the D-backs on Friday.