Needing a win to remain two games ahead of the Giants for first place in the National League West, the Dodgers had Hyun-Jin Ryu step to mound. Ryu left after 6 2/3 innings of work, giving up seven hits, two earned runs, walking one, and struck out nine in a no decision contest. Ryu was dealing early, striking out six batters through five innings, including a three up three down inning in the sixth with two strikeouts. Ryu retired 12 straight batters at one point before running into a bit of trouble and was relieved by J.P. Howell. The Diamondbacks scored two in the seventh inning to tie the game. Brian Wilson would eventually pick up his second win of the season in his inning of work, striking out one. The Dodgers sent Kenley Jansen to the hill with a 5-2 lead. Jansen gave up one hit before picking up his 41st save of the season.
The Dodgers offense gave Ryu some security early in the first inning. Dee Gordon led off with his 19th double of the season, and Adrian Gonzalez sent his 20th home run in the right field stands for the 2-0 lead. The home run was the lone hit of the evening for Gonzalez, finishing the game 1-3 with two RBI’s and a walk. The game was tied at two a piece late before the Dodgers broke the tie and took a commanding late lead in the eighth. Juan Uribe and Justin Turner both reached base, and Gordon singled on a ground ball to center field to score one. Gordon put a cap on his productive night, racking up three hits in four plate appearances, scoring two runs and driving in one. Hanley Ramirez hit a laser to left field for a ground rule double to score Turner and Gordon, giving his team a 5-2 lead. There was a fan interference call to make it a ground rule double, but the two runs counted anyway. Kemp, Uribe, and Ramirez each had one hit a piece.
Los Angeles picks up win number 80 on the season in the 5-2 victory, and will send out Zack Greinke for the afternoon series finale game at Dodger Stadium. Greinke will look to build upon his last successful outing, also looking for some offensive support.