The Arizona Diamondbacks leaned on the long ball Monday night at Chase Field, sending three balls over the fence and turning a tight game into a 4-1 victory in the series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. What began as a pitchers' duel shifted in Arizona’s favor when the homers arrived, and Los Angeles was unable to manufacture enough runs to push across a lead.
A Dodgers baserunner dives headfirst toward home as the Diamondbacks’ catcher attempts the tag in the series opener in Arizona — Los Angeles was unable to consistently plate runs in the loss.
Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan turned in one of his better starts of the 2026 season, navigating through traffic at times and otherwise keeping Arizona's lineup largely in check. He surrendered a Corbin Carroll double to open the game but then retired 15 batters in a stretch that showcased both command and rising velocity. Sheehan entered the outing with a 94.2 mph average fastball velocity for the season; on Monday night his fastball averaged 95.9 mph and he recorded an average of 96 mph across the third, fourth and fifth innings.
Sheehan worked into the sixth inning still holding a 1-0 lead, but the scoreboard changed that frame. Facing 24-year-old rookie Tommy Troy, Sheehan yielded a long ball — Troy’s first career home run — a 392-foot shot that evened the score. The Diamondbacks required only three batters later to take the lead: veteran Nolan Arenado greeted Sheehan with his eighth homer of the year, giving Arizona a lead it would not relinquish. Sheehan finished his night at 6.1 innings, allowing just three hits and two earned runs.
Arizona’s offense wasn’t done. In the bottom of the eighth, Ketel Marte connected for a two-run home run off Dodgers reliever Jack Dreyer, widening the margin and delivering the decisive blow in a game where long balls accounted for every run scored. Eduardo Rodriguez, Arizona’s starter, limited the Dodgers’ chances early and allowed just one earned run in six innings, effectively stifling Los Angeles’ attempts to produce against the D-backs’ rotation.
A Dodgers hitter follows through on a swing during the series opener at Chase Field — the team’s offense produced few runs, proving costly in the defeat.
Offensively, Los Angeles managed only six hits and frequently came up empty with scoring opportunities. The Dodgers left five runners on base and went 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Shohei Ohtani accounted for half of the club’s hits, recording three of the team’s six safeties. Arizona’s bullpen took care of the final three innings, shutting out the Dodgers over that stretch and preserving the 4-1 margin.
The loss dropped the Dodgers to 38-22 on the season. With the opener in the books, Los Angeles turns to Eric Lauer for Tuesday’s start; Lauer is scheduled to make his second start with the Dodgers. The series continues at Chase Field with both teams looking to adjust after a night when a few long balls proved the difference.