Speed Propels D-backs to Series Split Vs. Dodgers

Jake McCarthy's bunt single in the ninth inning propelled the Diamondbacks to a 2-1 win. Despite being outscored 20-7 in the series, the D-backs were able to salvage a series split thanks to late offensive heroics in a pair of one-run wins.

As soon as Carroll took second, McCarthy got Graterol and a backed up Dodgers infield napping. pic.twitter.com/JaVHD2jY4z
— Michael McDermott (@MichaelMcD8393) April 2, 2023

With the Dodgers infield playing back, McCarthy dropped down a perfect bunt down the first base line. With one of the fastest runners in baseball coming down the line, Brusdar Graterol could not cleanly handle to score Lourdes Gurriel Jr. from third.

"I just took a look at the right side of the infield and I saw they were playing back" said McCarthy on the Bally Sports Arizona broadcast. "I figured it was a good situation and I was going to get something hard and inside. I was fortunate enough to get the bunt down and just make a play."

The D-backs finally had a chance to run in this series and ran wild on Will Smith, who only retired 18% of attempted basestealers last season, being successful on all four stolen base attempts. Smith never got off a clean throw on any of those attempts, as he held onto the ball on all three of Corbin Carroll's steals and committed a throwing error on McCarthy's attempt.

Ketel Marte led off the ninth with a double just inside the left field line. Gurriel singled through the right side of the infield, with third base coach Tony Perezchica waving in Marte all the way. A great throw from six-time Gold Glover Mookie Betts got Marte at home, which withstood a D-backs challenge. A single, fielder's choice out at second, and a steal of second set up the situation.

The win would not have been possible without the stellar pitching of the backend of the bullpen. The quartet of Kyle Nelson, Miguel Castro, Andrew Chafin, and Scott McGough collective pitched four scoreless innings and struck out seven. It was a stark contrast to the performance of last year's bullpen, who had the lowest strikeout rate in baseball and was vulnerable to the results of balls put into play. McGough picked up his first career save by retiring the only two hitters faced.

After serving up a solo home run to Will Smith in the first, Zach Davies was able to buckle down and keep the Dodgers off the scoreboard the rest of the way for five innings. In total, he allowed just four hits, walked two, and struck out four. While Davies received his 21st no-decision in 28 career starts with the D-backs, his efforts proved to be pivotal as it allowed manager Torey Lovullo to only have to use the backend of the pen in a tight game.

Arizona got on the board in the fifth, when Carroll led off the inning with a single. After stealing his way to third off Noah Syndergaard, who typically doesn't hold runners well, Geraldo Perdomo doubled down the right field line. Perdomo finished with an impressive 2-for-3 day at the plate.