Diamondbacks Take Series Opener Against Dodgers in Phoenix
The Arizona Diamondbacks delivered one of their biggest wins of the 2026 season on June 1st, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1 before a crowd of 31,410 at Chase Field. In a game dominated by pitching through the first five innings, Arizona used timely power hitting and outstanding bullpen work to take down the National League West leaders.

Facing a red-hot Dodgers team that had won 14 of its previous 17 games, the Diamondbacks showed why they remain firmly in the National League Wild Card race. Three solo and two-run home runs combined with a stellar performance from Eduardo Rodriguez helped Arizona secure the victory and set the tone for the four-game series.

Dodgers Strike First
For much of the evening, it appeared the Dodgers might continue their recent dominance.

Los Angeles broke through in the third inning when Shohei Ohtani doubled and eventually came around to score, giving the Dodgers an early 1-0 lead. Ohtani once again proved why he remains one of baseball's most dangerous offensive weapons, collecting two hits and accounting for the Dodgers' only run of the game.

Arizona's offense struggled early against Dodgers starter Emmet Sheehan, who looked sharp through the first five innings. The right-hander consistently worked ahead in counts and kept Diamondbacks hitters off balance while carrying a shutout into the sixth inning.

Eduardo Rodriguez Keeps Arizona Within Striking Distance
While the Diamondbacks' offense searched for answers, Eduardo Rodriguez quietly put together another impressive outing.

The veteran left-hander worked six strong innings, allowing just one earned run on five hits while keeping one of baseball's most explosive lineups under control. Rodriguez attacked the strike zone throughout the night and avoided the big inning that has often fueled Dodgers rallies.

Every quality start matters in a playoff race, and Rodriguez gave Arizona exactly what it needed. By limiting the damage to a single run, he kept the game within reach until the offense finally broke through.

​His final line:

The outing further strengthened what has become an excellent season for the Diamondbacks starter.

Tommy Troy Delivers a Career Moment
The turning point arrived in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Rookie infielder Tommy Troy stepped to the plate looking for his first Major League home run. Moments later, he had one of the most memorable hits of his young career.

Troy launched a solo home run into the Chase Field seats, tying the game at 1-1 and sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The blast not only erased the Dodgers' lead but also shifted momentum firmly into Arizona's dugout.

The rookie finished the night 2-for-3 with a home run, RBI, and two runs scored, making a significant contribution in one of the biggest games of the season.

For young players, there are moments that define confidence. For Tommy Troy, June 1st may prove to be one of those moments.

Nolan Arenado Gives Arizona the Lead
Just one inning later, the Diamondbacks struck again.

Veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado delivered the next big blow when he crushed a solo home run in the seventh inning. The homer gave Arizona its first lead of the night at 2-1 and continued Arenado's long history of success against the Dodgers.

The veteran's ability to deliver in key situations has been a major asset for Arizona throughout the season, and he once again came through when the Diamondbacks needed him most.

Suddenly, a game that looked controlled by Dodgers pitching belonged to Arizona.

Ketel Marte Provides the Knockout Punch
The Diamondbacks weren't finished.

In the eighth inning, Ketel Marte stepped into the batter's box with two outs and a runner aboard. The All-Star second baseman wasted little time making sure the Dodgers would not mount a comeback.

Marte launched a two-run home run, extending Arizona's lead to 4-1 and giving Chase Field another reason to erupt.
The blast was Marte's 10th home run of the season and served as the final dagger against Los Angeles.

What began as a pitcher's duel had become a power display from the Diamondbacks lineup.

Arizona Bullpen Slams the Door
Once Rodriguez exited the game, Arizona's bullpen took over and never allowed the Dodgers to regain momentum.
Taylor Clarke earned the victory after tossing a scoreless seventh inning. Ryan Thompson and Bryan Garcia continued the shutdown effort before closer Paul Sewald entered in the ninth inning.

Sewald recorded his 15th save of the season and completed a dominant relief effort that held Los Angeles scoreless over the final three innings.

Against a lineup featuring Ohtani and several other dangerous hitters, the bullpen executed nearly flawlessly.

Diamondbacks Win Despite Being Outhit
One of the most impressive aspects of Arizona's victory was its efficiency.

The Dodgers actually out-hit the Diamondbacks 6-5, but Arizona made every hit count.

​Three of the Diamondbacks' five hits left the ballpark:

The ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities proved to be the difference.

Arizona also played clean baseball defensively, committing no errors and preventing Los Angeles from creating additional scoring chances.

What the Victory Means for Arizona
The win improved the Diamondbacks to 32-27 and strengthened their position in the National League Wild Card race.

Perhaps more importantly, Arizona proved it can compete with one of baseball's elite teams. Beating the Dodgers requires strong starting pitching, timely hitting, and bullpen execution. On June 1st, the Diamondbacks checked every box.

For a team with postseason aspirations, victories like this can provide momentum and confidence as the summer months approach.

With the series opener secured, Arizona sent a message that it intends to remain a factor in both the National League West race and the playoff picture.

Final Thoughts
The Diamondbacks' 4-1 victory over the Dodgers was a textbook example of how to beat a championship-caliber team. Eduardo Rodriguez kept the game close, Tommy Troy delivered a career-defining moment, Nolan Arenado supplied the go-ahead blast, and Ketel Marte delivered the knockout punch.

Combined with excellent bullpen work and solid defense, Arizona turned a 1-0 deficit into a statement win against its biggest division rival.

​If the Diamondbacks continue to receive this combination of pitching, power, and timely execution, they will remain a dangerous contender throughout the 2026 season.

Past Diamondbacks Articles:
Diamondbacks Return Home Looking to Regain Momentum After Seattle Sweep 
Diamondbacks Silenced by Mariners Power Surge in 5-1 Loss at Seattle 

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