Roberto Hernandez made the start for the Dodgers against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Arizona in the first game of a quick two-game series. The Dodgers have the highest win percentage in division games this season, coming into Tuesday's game with a 34-19 record. The good fortune against the division continued as Hernandez made his way through six innings of work while giving up three earned runs on six hits. Hernandez struck out three batters and surrendered two walks, finishing off another quality start for his squad. The offensive support Hernandez received was plentiful, helping him pick up his eighth win of the season. J.P. Howell, Brandon League, Jamey Wright and Pedro Baez all put in some work in relief to help finish out the game in winning fashion.
Matt Kemp hit a two-run homer in the first inning as the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers took an early lead. The Dodgers poured things on in a six-run fourth inning. Adrian Gonzalez and Kemp both walked to leadoff the inning, and Carl Crawford singled on a sharp liner to left field to drive in Gonzalez. Justin Turner followed with an RBI single and A.J. Ellis added an RBI single as well. The brigade of singles wasn’t done yet. Dee Gordon singled in a run to stretch the lead to five. Gonzalez hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded that drove in the sixth -- and final -- run of the inning, giving the Dodgers an 8-2 lead. It was an inning that consisted of five singles, two walks and two replays that went the Dodgers way. Turner struck again in the seventh with another RBI single, his second of the night. The 14 Dodger hits were good for nine runs in the 9-5 victory. Gordon finished 3-for-5 with an RBI. A plethora of Dodgers finished the game with two hits, those being Kemp, Crawford, Turner and Ellis. The boys in blue went a scorching 8-for-13 with runners in scoring position while leaving six men on base.
The Dodgers are now 75-58, improving to 35-19 against the NL West. Clayton Kershaw will be sent out for the closing game of the series with the Diamondbacks. The Dodgers hold a 4 1/2 game lead over the second place San Francisco Giants in the NL West.