Dodgers Survive Diamondbacks 5-4, Tucker Delivers Late As Diaz Wastes No Time

Kyle Tucker delivered the decisive hit in the eighth inning as the Dodgers edged the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 in Los Angeles on Friday night, a game that came shortly after the club received its World Series rings. The win gave Los Angeles an immediate lift in its season-opening series and showed early signs of the lineup depth the team added in the offseason.

Edwin Diaz also marked a clean start to his Dodgers career by earning the save in his debut, finishing a tense ninth inning after Arizona kept pressure on to the final out. The former Mets closer, who signed a three-year, $69 million deal, entered to Timmy Trumpet’s “Narcos” as the crowd roared and a trumpeter in a Dodgers jersey joined the moment.

Late-inning swing proves decisive

The game turned when Alex Freeland doubled off Kevin Ginkel and moved to third on Shohei Ohtani’s groundout before Tucker drove him in with a single to right field. Tucker, who joined Los Angeles on a $240 million contract, followed up on his strong opening game and gave the Dodgers the lead they needed to finish the night.

Edgardo Henriquez earned the victory in relief after striking out Nolan Arenado in the eighth, a difficult outing for the Arizona slugger who finished with four strikeouts. That stop preserved the chance for Los Angeles to take control, and Tucker’s hit did the rest.

Dodgers offense answers Arizona’s early surge

Arizona struck first and built a 2-0 lead on a first-inning RBI double by Alek Thomas and a second-inning solo homer from Ketel Marte. Los Angeles answered in the third with a run-scoring surge that included Mookie Betts’ three-run homer and Freeland’s solo shot, flipping the score into a 4-2 Dodgers lead.

Here is a quick look at the key scoring plays:

1. Alek Thomas hit an RBI double in the first inning.
2. Ketel Marte homered in the second to extend Arizona’s lead.
3. Mookie Betts hit a three-run homer in the third.
4. Alex Freeland added a solo homer in the third.
5. Kyle Tucker drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth.

Diaz closes the door in his Dodgers debut

Diaz entered the ninth with a narrow margin and handled the pressure with a mix of power and control. He struck out Carlos Santana, walked Alek Thomas before Thomas stole second, then got Jordan Lawler looking and ended the game by inducing a groundout from Ketel Marte.

The save gave the Dodgers a late edge after both teams traded momentum throughout the night, and it offered an early glimpse of how the new bullpen piece could fit into high-leverage situations. Los Angeles also continued to benefit from contributions across the roster, with Freeland, Betts, Tucker and the relievers all playing key roles in the one-run win.

The series now shifts to the finale, with Arizona set to send left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez to the mound against Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow as both clubs look to finish the set on a strong note.