PHOENIX—Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw six scoreless innings, rookie Andy Pages hit a two-run home run as part of a five-run second inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8–0 on Wednesday night, May 1.
Yamamoto (3–1) continues to pitch well in his first big-league season after signing a 12-year, $325 million deal during the offseason. The Japanese star was roughed up by the San Diego Padres in his first outing on March 21 in South Korea but has been much better over his past six starts and now has a 2.91 earned-run average.
The right-hander gave up five hits and two walks, striking out five.
“I think I’m able to keep myself very calm and that’s one of the biggest reasons I’m able to execute my pitches,” Yamamoto said through a translator.
Pages worked a full count against Arizona’s Jordan Montgomery before hammering his 429-foot homer to left-center field for a 2–0 lead in the second inning. He’s on an eight-game hitting streak and has 10 RBIs in 14 games.
Austin Barnes ripped an RBI double, and Mookie Betts followed with a two-run single for a 5–0 lead. Will Smith hit a solo homer—his second of the series—to push the advantage to 6–0 in the third.
Betts had three hits, while teammate Miguel Rojas added two. The Dodgers have won eight of their past 10 games after taking two of three games in the series.
“We had a really good plan,” Rojas said. “The offense has been having great at-bats, regardless of the results.”
Montgomery’s start was pushed back one day after the beginning of Tuesday’s game was delayed nearly two hours because of a bee infestation. The extra day of rest didn’t help the lefty, who gave up six runs on six hits and three walks over three innings.
“I’m not going to make any excuses,” Montgomery said. “Today was my day to take the ball. Yesterday was, but it didn’t work. I was excited to get out there today, and I just really didn’t have good stuff.”
Montgomery (1–2) struck out only one.
D-backs lefty Blake Walston gave up two runs over 3 2/3 innings of relief in his big-league debut. He was a first-round selection by Arizona in the 2019 draft.
D-backs Manager Torey Lovullo was frustrated that the pitching staff gave up eight walks.
“The recipe is simple. You’ve got to put the ball [over] the plate,” Mr. Lovullo said. “I think it was eight or nine walks today. When you have the amount of walks against any team, not just the one we’re playing today, that many baserunners, they’re going to get you.”
The Dodgers played without designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, who received a scheduled day off.
Trainer’s Room
Diamondbacks: Catcher Gabriel Moreno was a late scratch after feeling the effects of some dental work done earlier Wednesday. ... Right-hander Zac Gallen won’t pitch Friday as originally scheduled. He left his last outing with a hamstring cramp and the D-backs are giving him extra rest. Mr. Lovullo said the plan is to pitch him Tuesday.
Up Next
Dodgers: Return home for a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves beginning Friday. Los Angeles will start right-hander Gavin Stone (2–1, 4.68) in the opener, while the Braves counter with righty Charlie Morton (2–0, 3.60 ERA).Diamondbacks: Host a three-game series with San Diego beginning Friday. Right-hander Slade Cecconi (1–1, 2.25 ERA) will start the first game.
